Fish
Checkerboard Cichlid
Crenicara punctulata
Origin: The checkerboard cichlid inhabits streams and rivers of the Amazon and Essequibo basins in South America. It lives in soft, acidic water with sandy beds, leaf litter, and driftwood, constantly sifting the substrate for food.
Also known as: Checkerboard cichlid, Crenicara punctulata
Fact sheet
- Size
- 10 cm
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- Minimum tank size
- 100 L
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 5.5–7
- Hardness GH
- 1–10 °dH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Harem
- Group size
- 4+ individuals
- Swimming zone
- Bottom, Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Jumps out
- No
- Eats plants
- No
Overview
The checkerboard cichlid is an elegant dwarf cichlid with rows of dark square blotches along the body forming a checkerboard pattern. It is a relatively peaceful fish that forms harems: a dominant male holds a territory with several females. One of the species' most interesting features is its ability to change sex: if no male is present, the strongest female turns into a functional male. Keep it in a soft-water tank with a sandy bottom and cover. The species is sensitive to water quality, especially when breeding.
Appearance
The body is elongated and slender for a cichlid; males reach 10–12 cm, females are noticeably smaller (6–8 cm). The ground is grey-beige with two or three rows of dark square blotches forming a checkerboard. Mature females have bright orange pelvic fins. Males have a larger tail fin with elongated rays and red-and-blue edging.
Care
A tank of at least 100 L with soft sandy substrate, driftwood, leaf litter, and cover. Temperature 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.0, hardness GH 1–10 — soft, slightly acidic water. Clean water, good filtration, and regular water changes are needed. The species is sensitive to nitrate and pollution.
Feeding
An omnivorous micro-predator. It takes live and frozen foods — brine shrimp nauplii, cyclops, daphnia, and small bloodworm — plus sinking pellets. It constantly sifts the sand for food. Feed once or twice daily in small portions.
Compatibility
A relatively peaceful dwarf cichlid. It mixes well with small characins, rasboras, corydoras, and shrimp in a soft-water tank. Large or aggressive tankmates are unsuitable. Keep as a harem — one male to 2–3 females.
Breeding
It lays eggs on a substrate (a leaf, rock, or driftwood) and forms harems: the male guards the territory while females tend the eggs and fry. Breeding needs very soft, acidic water. The species can change sex: without a male, the dominant female becomes a male.
Fun facts
The checkerboard pattern gives the species its Russian and English names. The checkerboard cichlid is one of the few freshwater fish with true sex change (protogyny). Bright orange pelvic fins mark a spawning-ready female.