Xingu eartheater

Retroculus xinguensis

Also known as Xingu cichlid, Retroculus

FreshwaterFish

Xingu eartheater (Retroculus xinguensis) — NasserHalaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 79–86°F (26–30°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 9.8 in (25 cm)
Minimum tank: 185 gal (700 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Rio Xingu basin of Para, Brazil, a rheophilic fish of clearwater rapids and fast runs over sand, gravel, and boulders.
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

Keep a group in a tank of at least 700 liters at 26 to 30 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5, with strong current and high oxygen. Provide a sand and gravel bottom with smooth boulders. Feed sinking foods, frozen foods, and live foods. It is mostly peaceful but delicate, and wild imports need careful acclimation.

In the wild

The Xingu eartheater lives in the Rio Xingu basin of Para, Brazil. It is a rheophilic fish of clearwater rapids and fast runs over sand, gravel, and boulders. It needs strong flow, high oxygen, and pristine water. This is a specialist that struggles in a still, poorly kept tank.

Good to know

Retroculus xinguensis was described by Gosse in 1971 and reaches around 25 cm. It belongs to one of the earliest-branching lineages of New World cichlids. It sifts sand for food and digs a pit nest, then relocates the eggs during incubation.