Sword-Tail Checkerboard Care Guide
Dicrossus gladicauda is a Colombian dwarf cichlid named for the sword-shaped caudal extension in males, a sensitive soft-acidic blackwater species.
Overview
Dicrossus gladicauda is a dwarf cichlid of the family Cichlidae described from the lower Rio Atabapo drainage in Colombia. The species name derives from the Latin gladius (sword) and cauda (tail), referring to the sword-like streamer formed by extended caudal-fin rays in adult males. It is a sensitive blackwater species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Dicrossus
- Scientific name: Dicrossus gladicauda
Habitat
The species inhabits clear, acidic and very soft, tea-coloured blackwater with dense vegetation and leaf litter on the bottom, in the Atabapo drainage of the Inirida system. FishBase records that it occurs at roughly 10-50 cm depth with total and temporary hardness below 1 degree dH.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 25-29 °C (77-84 °F)
- pH: 4.0-6.0
- GH: 1-3 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
FishBase reports water from pH 4.4 upward and temperatures from 24 °C; a soft, acidic, heavily planted blackwater layout with leaf litter best matches the natural habitat.
Diet
A carnivore in the aquarium, taking small live and frozen foods, fed about twice daily. Soft acidic conditions are important for conditioning this species.
Compatibility
A peaceful, mid-water dwarf cichlid suited to soft-water community tanks with small tetras and corydoras. Large tetras and aggressive cichlids should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Endangered, assessed in 2020 under criterion B1ab(iii). Its restricted range in the Atabapo drainage makes it vulnerable to habitat change.