Wavrini Dwarf Eartheater (Rio Negro)

Biotodoma wavrini is the sister species of B. cupido, found in the Rio Negro headwaters and adjacent upper Orinoco blackwater drainages of Brazil and Venezuela. It differs from B. cupido in its more slender, elongated body, pointed and extended dorsal and ventral fins, and a vivid horizontal turquoise body stripe. It is considerably more demanding than B. cupido, requiring very soft, warm, acidic water typical of the ion-poor Rio Negro. It is highly sensitive to even moderate levels of nitrates or elevated water hardness, reacting with colour loss and increased susceptibility to disease. Provide tannin-stained water, fine sand, subdued lighting, and excellent biological filtration. Best maintained in a near-species setup or with the most gentle and chemically compatible soft-water species only.

Water: Very soft; pH 4.5–6.5, temperature 26–30 °C, very low conductivity. Tank: 120 L+; tannin-stained, fine sand, leaf litter, dim light. Feeding: Fine sinking pellets, live and frozen daphnia, artemia nauplii, cyclops. Breeding: Delayed mouthbrooder; pristine blackwater conditions essential. Compatibility: Only with the gentlest, smallest soft-water species.