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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Saddle cichlid

Aequidens tetramerus Heckel, 1840
Max Length
19.2 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
23.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

One of the most colorful species of the genus, especially during its reproductive period. Frequently occurs in zones with little current and over a substrate covered with vegetal debris . Caught frequently but not abundantly in most varied biotopes- in small creeks and flooded zones with clear, shallow and slow flowing water. Feeds primarily on insects, secondarily on fishes and plants. Very territorial. During reproduction, males attain a deeper coloration. About 1,000 eggs are released during spawning. Spawning takes place on stone or wood. Parents take care of juveniles . Maximum length 25 cm TL .

Scientific Name
Aequidens tetramerus
Authority
Heckel, 1840
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
19.2 cm
Trophic Level
3.2
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
23.00/100
Water Temp
24–26 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

colorful species of the genus, especially during its reproductive period.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Saddle cichlid is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 👄 Mouth Brooder 🛡️ Egg Guarder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

Produces a minimum of 1000 eggs .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 4.9 - 7.5; dH range: 1 - 13.5. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C South America: widely distributed in the Amazon River basin in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Bolivia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.2±0.5
Food Items

insects, secondarily on fishes and plants

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0195 × L3.11 (TL)
Max TL
19.2cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
24–26°C
pH Range
4.9–7.5
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
23.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Heckel, 1840

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Acara tetramerus Heckel 1840 Synonym
Acaronia trimaculata Allen 1942 Synonym
Aequidens stollei Miranda Ribeiro 1918 Synonym
Chromys uniocellata Castelnau 1855 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 126 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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