Dicrossus filamentosus is native to the upper Amazon River, Orinoco River, and associated tributaries in Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil, where it inhabits clear to blackwater streams with extremely soft, acidic water, fine sandy substrates, and abundant leaf litter. It is found in very shallow, slow-moving waters with minimal dissolved minerals.
One of the smallest cichlids regularly available in the hobby, the Checkerboard Cichlid reaches only about 8 cm in males and is even smaller in females. The common name is derived from the row of bold black spots on a white-cream flank that creates a checkerboard or domino effect. Males are considerably more colourful, with vivid blue and red iridescence in the dorsal and caudal fins, and develop spectacular elongated caudal fin filaments (the lyretail) at maturity.
The Checkerboard Cichlid is classified as advanced due to its strict water quality requirements. It demands very soft, very acidic water in the pH 4.5–6.5 range, with minimal hardness. Tap water in most cities is entirely unsuitable and reverse osmosis or rainwater must be used. Any deviation from ideal parameters causes rapid health deterioration.
In the aquarium, Checkerboard Cichlids are peaceful, bottom-dwelling fish that are delicate in appearance and behavior. They are best kept in species-specific tanks or with tiny, extremely gentle soft-water tankmates such as pencilfish or dwarf corydoras.
