Scientific Name
Aequidens tetramerus

Common Name
Saddle cichlid

Biology
One of the most colorful species of the genus, especially during its reproductive period. Frequently occurs in zones with little current and over a substrate covered with vegetal debris (Ref. 27188). Caught frequently but not abundantly in most varied biotopes- in small creeks and flooded zones with clear, shallow and slow flowing water. Feeds primarily on insects, secondarily on fishes and plants. Very territorial. During reproduction, males attain a deeper coloration. About 1,000 eggs are released during spawning. Spawning takes place on stone or wood. Parents take care of juveniles (Ref. 35237). Maximum length 25 cm TL (Ref. 1672).

Classification

Classified By

Heckel, 1840

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: widely distributed in the Amazon River basin in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Bolivia. Also in the Tocantins and Parna?ba rivers, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, and in the Orinoco River basin of Venezuela and Colombia.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

24 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 4.9 - 7.5; dH range: 1 - 13.5 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.24 s.e. 0.50 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

16.2 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (23 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=1,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated