Biotodoma cupido
Biotodoma cupido is native to the Amazon basin in South America.
Biotodoma cupido has a golden brown body colouration. The belly is silvery grey. The fins are reddish. Above the eyes is a vertical black stripe. In males, in the area of the gills, visible bluish-blue stripes, iridescent rainbow glitter in the reflected light. Females have shiny spots instead of stripes. Males are slightly larger than females and have longer filaments on the dorsal and tail plumage. The maximum size of the fish is 13 cm.
The Biotodoma cupido is a moderately aggressive, spatial yet peaceful fish. They can easily be kept in a common tank with smaller and medium sized peace-loving fish. Do not keep territorial fish together. Biotodoma cupido should preferably keep a small group of 6-8 fish. Over time, the group forms a hierarchy in which the entire group will be subordinate to the dominant fish.
The fish require an aquarium with a capacity of 300 liters. Coarse-grained river sand is used as a substrate. At the bottom are snags and large flat stones.
Water parameters: temperature 23-26 ° C, hardness dH 8-12 °, pH 6,0-7,0. Water quality for these cichlids is of paramount importance, the fish should not be started in an aquarium, which has not yet established biological equilibrium. Strong filtration, aeration and a weekly change of ½ aquarium water with fresh water is required.
The diet consists of Artemia nauplii, Tubifex, chironomid and Spirulina flakes. They are fed in small portions 3-4 times a day.
Reproduction
Biotodoma cupido reaches sexual maturity at 18-24 months of age.
Spawning is paired. Producers clean the surface of a flat rock of mud, where the female subsequently lays eggs.
Spawning is stimulated by simulating a period of drought and rainy season. This is achieved by keeping the fish at a stable water temperature and relatively small water changes. Then start replacing ¼ of the aquarium water daily, preferably with rainwater or soft tap water.
The spawning process lasts about two hours. Once the male has fertilized the eggs, the female takes over all care of the clutch. The male takes care of the spawning site during this time. If the female leaves the spawning site, the male immediately replaces her until she returns.
The eggs incubate for 3-4 days, after which the fry hatch and the parents move them to a hole dug in the substrate. For 4 days, the fry feed on the substances in their yolk sacs. Once the fry swim away, the parents do not leave them unattended for another six weeks.
The fry are fed with Artemia nauplii and a special dry food suitable for cichlid fry. The fry are fed 4 times a day.
