Stonelifter retroculus

Care at a glance

Overview

The stonelifter retroculus is a rheophile, a bottom-dwelling cichlid for keepers who want to build a real river tank. It is best with a little experience.

Caring for the stonelifter retroculus

Keep a group of stonelifter retroculus in at least 119 gal (450 L) with strong circulation. They need high flow, high oxygen and a floor of pebbles and gravel they can rearrange.

Hold the water at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. Warm water holds less oxygen, so run enough turnover to keep the oxygen up at that temperature. Feed sinking foods and frozen fare.

The stonelifter is mostly peaceful, and it handles conditions where quieter cichlids struggle. Choose its tank mates with care. Pairs excavate a pit to spawn in, and breeding is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

The stonelifter retroculus belongs to Retroculus, an early-branching lineage outside the main South American cichlid radiation. Its species name, lapidifer, means stone-carrier, after the pebbles that pairs bring to the nest.

In the wild

The stonelifter retroculus lives on gravel beds in the fast, hot water of the Tocantins and Araguaia rapids.

Common questions

Related species

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