Buckhead Cichlid Care Guide
Laetacara araguaiae is a Brazilian dwarf cichlid from the Araguaia and lower Amazon tributaries, peaceful and suited to community planted aquariums.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Laetacara araguaiae, the buckhead cichlid, is a dwarf cichlid of the family Cichlidae from central and eastern Brazil. It is known from the rios Tapajos, Xingu and Tocantins, right-bank tributaries of the lower Amazon basin, and the rio Araguaia basin. Its dark mouth markings give the genus a smiling appearance, and it is peaceful and well suited to community planted aquariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Laetacara
- Scientific name: Laetacara araguaiae
Habitat
The type locality lies near the rio Verde in the rio Araguaia basin, Estado de Goias, Brazil. The species inhabits slow, sheltered waters with cover; AquaInfo notes that populations from the Araguaia and Tocantins show blue and red tones while Tapajos fish are more turquoise-green.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.2
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
A sand substrate with leaf litter and planting suits this species and matches its slow-water habitat.
Diet
Primarily carnivorous, feeding mostly on benthic invertebrates in nature. In the aquarium it is an omnivore that accepts small live, frozen and prepared foods, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful, mid-water dwarf cichlid suited to community tanks with small tetras, rummy-nose tetras, corydoras and otocinclus. Avoid tiger barbs and aggressive cichlids.
Breeding
A biparental substrate spawner: both parents guard eggs and fry. Breeding difficulty is considered beginner-friendly.
Laetacara araguaiae Breeding Guide
Overview
Laetacara araguaiae is a Brazilian dwarf cichlid native to the rios Tapajós, Xingu and Tocantins, all right-bank tributaries of the lower Amazon basin (Seriously Fish). It is a biparental substrate spawner, with both parents tending eggs and fry laid on a surface (Seriously Fish). The KB record rates its breeding difficulty as beginner.
Sexing
Seriously Fish records a maximum standard length of 34.9 mm, confirming its dwarf size. Detailed sexing characters are not provided in the source; in the genus Laetacara, females often show a dark dorsal-fin marking.
Conditioning
The KB record classifies L. araguaiae as an omnivore fed twice daily. A varied diet supports breeding condition; no species-specific conditioning protocol is documented in the source.
Breeding Setup
Provide a flat stone or broad leaf as a spawning surface in soft water. The KB record lists a minimum tank volume of 100 L with temperatures of 24-28 °C, pH 5.5-7.2 and GH 2-10. Specific spawning-water adjustments are not documented in the source.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As a biparental substrate spawner, the pair selects, cleans and defends a surface before spawning (Seriously Fish). Detailed clutch size and spawning sequence are not documented in the source.
Egg & Fry Care
Both parents participate in guarding eggs and protecting the fry (Seriously Fish). Detailed fry-rearing data are not provided in the source.
Common Challenges
Seriously Fish notes its species profiles are an evolving work in progress with gaps for this species; the KB record rates breeding as beginner level.