Checkerboard cichlid (Crenicara punctulatum)

Scientific name: Crenicara punctulatum G?nther, 1863

The Checkerboard cichlid (Crenicara punctulatum) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–27°C (73–81°F).

Checkerboard cichlid care at a glance

Temperature: 23–27°C (73–81°F)

Biology

In forest creeks and sandy river shores, often near fallen leaves or among plants. Young are all females; at about 8 months of age one female changes into a dominant male.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Crenicara punctulatum
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 10.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 5.0 - 6.0; dH range: 0.100000001490116 - 10 benthopelagic; non-migratory
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: South America: Amazon River basin, in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Brazil, in tributaries of the rivers Ucayali, Mara??n, Solim?es and Amazon from about the Pachitea River on the Ucayali River to about Gurup?; upper Mamor? River in Bolivia, and Madre de Dios River drainage in Peru; Essequibo River drainage in Guyana; Amap? Grande River in Amap?, Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm