Crenicara Punctulata

Crenicara punctulata is a small, sexually dimorphic cichlid from slow-moving, densely vegetated habitats of Amazonian Bolivia and western Brazil. Females are strikingly colourful, displaying bright yellow flanks with bold black horizontal stripes and spots, while males are larger and more cryptically patterned. The species belongs to the eartheater tribe and forages along the substrate for small invertebrates. It is a substrate-tending spawner, depositing eggs on flat surfaces or broad plant leaves. Dense vegetation, fine substrate, warm temperatures, and soft, slightly acidic water replicate its natural environment. It is peaceful and can be maintained in community aquaria with small, non-aggressive species such as tetras, dwarf cichlids, and Corydoras. Excellent for heavily planted South American biotope displays.

Water: Soft; pH 5.5–6.8, temperature 24–28 °C, low nitrates. Tank: 80 L+; planted, fine substrate, tannins, leaf litter. Feeding: Fine sinking pellets, frozen daphnia, cyclops, micro-worm, artemia nauplii. Breeding: Substrate spawner; female guards eggs; biparental care of fry. Compatibility: Peaceful with small tetras, Corydoras, and other dwarf cichlids.