The checkerboard cichlid, Crenicara punctulata, is relatively widespread throughout the upper Amazon Basin. There are reports of its presence in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Colombia, and Peru. The photos show specimens from Peru.
Males of Crenicara punctulata can attain a maximum length of about 12 cm, so this species is not a dwarf cichlid in the strict sense. But as this species is very peaceful the fact that they grow to a bit larger size doesn´t matter too much. Crenicara punctulata belongs to the very few species of freshwater fish that can change the sex. As far as it is known, all newborn specimens are females. One can recognize sexually active females easily by the bright orange ventral fins. If no male is present in the tank, the strongest female will change from a functional female to a functional male. This phenomenon is very common in marine coral fish and known under the term of “protogynous hermaphrodism”.
Keeping Crenicara punctulata is pretty easy. However, these fish need a larger place filled with fine sand in the tank. This sand is checked for food day-in and day-out. The species is an open brooder. Males mate with several females. The male has to defend the territory while the females look for the eggs and offspring.
For our customers: Depending on their size, these animals are listed on our inventory list under codes 669001 (3–4 cm) through 669005 (8–12 cm). Please note that we supply exclusively the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
