Orinoco Fairy Dwarf Cichlid (Biotecus dicentrarchus)

A unique and uncommonly available species, the Orinoco Fairy Dwarf Cichlid (Biotecus dicentrarchus) is found throughout the Orinoco basin but is not frequently encountered. It is closely related to B. opercularis, which is found in several Amazon tributaries. In the wild, they tend to be found in extreme shallows in open water over fine sand substrate, where males will defend a small territory from rivals. This species is typically found in highly acidic, blackwater areas and will do best with warm, soft water in the aquarium. A somewhat shy species, it can be difficult to ensure they receive adequate food in a community aquarium and ideally they should be kept in a species tank or with other docile, slow moving species.