Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus)

Scientific name: Etroplus maculatus Bloch, 1795

Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus)

The Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 8 cm (3.1 in). It is moderate to keep and peaceful and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 20–30°C (68–86°F) and a pH of 7.0–9.0. Native range: Mainland South Asia, coastal brackish rivers of southern India and Sri Lanka.

Orange chromide care at a glance

Care level
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful
Adult size
8 cm (3.1 in)
Minimum tank
75 L (20 US gal)
Temperature
20–30°C (68–86°F)
pH
7.0–9.0
Hardness
5–30 dGH (89–535 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Occurs in lagoons and small streams. Enters estuaries. Often found among marginal roots and weeds in lagoons and some dry zone tanks (now relatively rare in the latter habitat). Feeds on fish fry, zooplankton and algae.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Etroplus maculatus
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
8.0
Environment
Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 8.0 - 9.0; dH range: 9 - 19 benthopelagic; amphidromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: India and Sri Lanka.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm

More south & central american cichlids

See all south & central american cichlids

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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