Greenstreak Eartheater (Biotodoma cupido) Care Guide
Biotodoma cupido is a peaceful sand-sifting eartheater cichlid from the Amazon and Essequibo basins, suited to soft, warm community tanks.
Overview
Biotodoma cupido is a cichlid (family Cichlidae) originally described in 1840 by Heckel as Geophagus cupido and later placed in the genus Biotodoma. According to Wikipedia it is native to the Amazon and Essequibo basins in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana and Peru. It is a sand-sifting eartheater sometimes seen in the aquarium trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Biotodoma
- Scientific name: Biotodoma cupido
- Common synonym: Geophagus cupido (Heckel, 1840)
Habitat
According to Seriously Fish, given its wide natural range the species is likely a habitat generalist that avoids torrential conditions, occurring in clear, often tannin-stained waters subject to seasonal flooding. The type locality is given as the Rio Negro and Rio Guaporé in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 26-30 °C (79-86 °F)
- pH: 5.0-6.8
- GH: 1-5 °dGH
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
- Substrate: soft sand for sifting
Diet
Biotodoma cupido is an omnivorous sand-sifting substrate feeder. Seriously Fish recommends a varied diet of high-quality fine-grade prepared foods plus live or frozen chironomid larvae (bloodworm), Tubifex, Artemia and mosquito larvae.
Compatibility
A bottom-dwelling species. Seriously Fish describes it as surprisingly peaceful outside breeding, not predating on fishes larger than a few millimetres, and living in loose groups that form dominance hierarchies. It suits peaceful tankmates with similar water needs; aggressive or hard-water fish should be avoided.
Breeding
Biotodoma cupido is a biparental substrate spawner. According to Seriously Fish it prefers rocks partly buried in the substrate as a spawning site, and sexual maturity appears to be reached at around 18 to 24 months of age.