Shovelmouth Cichlid

Retroculus lapidifer is a morphologically unusual cichlid from the Araguaia and Tocantins rivers, belonging to an ancient cichlid lineage. Its broad, protruding lower jaw is adapted for scraping aufwuchs and picking invertebrates from hard substrates. A challenging species best suited to species-specific or biotope setups.

Water: 26-30°C, pH 6.0-7.5, soft to slightly hard, well-oxygenated. Tank: Minimum 300L, coarse gravel or smooth rock substrate, strong circulation to mimic river rapids. Feeding: Sinking algae wafers, blanched vegetables, small invertebrates, quality sinking pellets. Behaviour: Semi-aggressive; territorial over substrate areas, particularly during spawning. Compatibility: Best in biotope setups with similarly sized, robust river species.