Chisel-tooth cichlid

Care at a glance

Overview

A single adult needs a tank of at least 450 liters at 25 to 28 C and pH 7.0 to 8.0. Provide rockwork and expect strong territorial behavior. Feed a varied diet with plenty of vegetable matter alongside pellets and frozen foods. It is aggressive and slow to mature, so pairing it takes patience.

In the wild

The chisel-tooth cichlid lives in Atlantic drainages of Guatemala and Belize, including Lake Izabal. It occupies flowing rivers with rock and wood. This is a large cichlid that grazes on algae and aufwuchs. Provide rockwork, open swimming space, and sturdy decor.

Good to know

This species was described by Vaillant and Pellegrin in 1902 and reaches about 30 cm. It is named for the chisel-like teeth it uses to scrape algae, though it also takes invertebrates. Recent work places it in the genus Cincelichthys, and it is also listed as Theraps bocourti.

Did you know

Although it was named back in 1902, it did not reach the aquarium trade until the mid-1990s.

Related species

• 

  Pantano cichlid

  Cincelichthys pearsei

  11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)

• 

  Malawi sand diver

  Fossorochromis rostratus

  11 in (28 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Pearl eartheater

  Geophagus brasiliensis

  11 in (28 cm)75 gal (284 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)

• 

  Basketmouth cichlid

  Caquetaia kraussii

  11.8 in (30 cm)79 gal (300 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)

• 

  Five-bar cichlid

  Neolamprologus tretocephalus

  5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Mayan cichlid

  Mayaheros urophthalmus

  11.8 in (30 cm)90 gal (340 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)