slender eartheater

The Retroculus lapidifer is an uncommon an unique cichlid from the fast flowing rivers of Brazil, Retroculus are distant relatives of the more well known South American eartheaters. All Retroculus species have a greatly reduced swim bladders and are primarily bottom dwellers, living in sandy and rocky shallows in well-oxygenated streams, often in or around rapids. A social fish, they are often found in small groups and in the breeding season they excavate nests using small rocks. Care in aquaria is straightforward but all Retroculus are particularly sensitive to water quality and frequent partial water changes are a must for long term health.