Biotodoma cupido is native to the Amazon River basin, Orinoco drainage, and Guiana Shield rivers, inhabiting slow-moving, sandy-bottomed tributaries and floodplain lakes with soft, warm, slightly acidic to neutral water. It is one of the smaller eartheater cichlids, reaching only 12 cm, and is often considered one of the most beautifully patterned members of the subfamily.
The Cupid Cichlid has a moderately elongated body with an elegantly pointed snout. The coloration includes a pale base of greenish-cream to gold, with iridescent green horizontal streaking on the cheeks and operculum. A prominent, sharply defined ocellus (eyespot) is present on the mid-flank. The dorsal and caudal fins of mature males may show orange-red edging and elongated fin extensions.
In the aquarium, Biotodoma cupido is a gentle, substrate-sifting cichlid that spends much of its time at the bottom of the tank, methodically sampling the sand for food. It is peaceful even toward very small fish and can be kept in community aquariums with tetras, small rasboras, and other delicate species that share its soft-water requirements.
The Cupid Cichlid is considered intermediate in difficulty primarily because of its water quality sensitivity and need for very soft, acidic water. Given the correct conditions, however, it is a hardy and adaptable species that can be bred in the aquarium.
