Who Zoo: Cupid Cichlid Page Author: Suzanne Garcia

Scientific Name: Biotodoma cupido

Another name it is known by is greenstreaked eartheater.

Geographical Range:

Western Guyana

South/Central America

Habitat: Slow moving, wide parts of clear rivers.

Diet in the Wild: Live; insect larvae, crustaceans, Tubifex, flakes, pellets.

Location in the Zoo:

the aquarium, not at Fort Worth Zoo, but in Dallas.

Physical Description: They are about 14 cm. in length, although they are usually smaller. Different color varieties exist, coloration changes from orange, to yellow, to green, to blue, and purple near the fin. Some have common variations of gray black. males have blue iriddescent lines on cheeks, and the females have spots. Overall they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

How to tell if it is a cupid cichlid:

The cupid cichlid can be differentiated from the fish genus Biotodoma by their small snouts and mouths. It can be difficult to determine the type of cichlids because of their similarities.

Special Adaptations: The cupid cichlid is sensitive to a change in water condition and water pollutants, they are delicate fish. Have an aggressive behavior, and pairing of the same species could lead to injury or death of one. The cupid cichlid is an unpredictable fish. They can be found in any body of water including lakes, rivers, swamps, and even puddles and ditches.

Social Organization:: Solitary,

Belongs to the family Cichlidae, the sub-family is Geophaginae. The social order of the fish is Perciformes - perch like. It is part of the largest order of fish. Most fish of this order are not monophyletic.

Reproductive Behavior: The breeding of the fish is difficult. The female digs a pit for the eggs with its mouth, then lays about 100 eggs that the male guards. The female cares for the eggs, and this changes at times. The fry are not easy to raise, yet the parents continue to care for the young. The male typically provides the parental care.

Keeping Cichlids:

The popularity of these fish are increasing for many reasons, but one being how easy it is to keep them. What makes them popular is you can choose from many kinds and they each act a different way that surpises all.

Page Author: Suzanne Garcia

SweetSuzanne02@msn.com

Sources and Links:

http://www.mongabay.com/fish/eartheaters.htm

http://aquadex.info/fish/Biotodoma_cupido.cfm

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Biotodoma&speciesname=cupido

http://www.cichlids.com/

	*Scientific Name:* Biotodoma cupido Another name it is known by is greenstreaked eartheater.
	Geographical Range: Western Guyana South/Central America
	Habitat: Slow moving, wide parts of clear rivers.
	Diet in the Wild: Live; insect larvae, crustaceans, Tubifex, flakes, pellets.

	Location in the Zoo: the aquarium, not at Fort Worth Zoo, but in Dallas.
Physical Description: They are about 14 cm. in length, although they are usually smaller. Different color varieties exist, coloration changes from orange, to yellow, to green, to blue, and purple near the fin. Some have common variations of gray black. males have blue iriddescent lines on cheeks, and the females have spots. Overall they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.	How to tell if it is a cupid cichlid: The cupid cichlid can be differentiated from the fish genus Biotodoma by their small snouts and mouths. It can be difficult to determine the type of cichlids because of their similarities.
Special Adaptations: The cupid cichlid is sensitive to a change in water condition and water pollutants, they are delicate fish. Have an aggressive behavior, and pairing of the same species could lead to injury or death of one. The cupid cichlid is an unpredictable fish. They can be found in any body of water including lakes, rivers, swamps, and even puddles and ditches.	Social Organization:: Solitary, Belongs to the family Cichlidae, the sub-family is Geophaginae. The social order of the fish is Perciformes - perch like. It is part of the largest order of fish. Most fish of this order are not monophyletic.
Reproductive Behavior: The breeding of the fish is difficult. The female digs a pit for the eggs with its mouth, then lays about 100 eggs that the male guards. The female cares for the eggs, and this changes at times. The fry are not easy to raise, yet the parents continue to care for the young. The male typically provides the parental care.	Keeping Cichlids: The popularity of these fish are increasing for many reasons, but one being how easy it is to keep them. What makes them popular is you can choose from many kinds and they each act a different way that surpises all.
	Page Author: Suzanne Garcia SweetSuzanne02@msn.com Sources and Links: http://www.mongabay.com/fish/eartheaters.htm http://aquadex.info/fish/Biotodoma_cupido.cfm http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Biotodoma&speciesname=cupido http://www.cichlids.com/