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Aequidens rivulatus, Günther, 1859

Origin:Equador and Peru, in tributaries to the amazon river. On the web it's also reported from Colombia and Venezuela, but this could be Aequidens pulcher.

Etymology: rivulatus= from rivers?

Synonyms: Chromis rivulatus, Acara rivulata

First European import: Unk

Description: See pictures. In the picture you can see the juvenile coloration and bodyshape. Older animals have less vivid colors, and the cranium is more pronounced.

Care:A 80 cm or larger well planted tank, with sandy soil, and some driftwood and stones, since the fish require hideouts. Very aggressiv and bullying fish, hence the English name "Green terror", that disturb the soil. Not very particular to watervalues, can be kept in soft acidic water as well as in hard water at a higher pH.

Temperature:20-24 degrees.

Feeding:Live and frozen food, also meat and vegetables(peas).

Size:Up to 20 cm. Females 12 cm.

pH: 6.0-8.0

Breeding:Temperature should be raised a little to 26 degrees, and combined with a large waterchange this usually leads to spawning behaviour.The fish will spawn on a stone, preferably a flat stone, which is cleaned minutely prior to spawning. Up to 800 eggs are laid which will hatch after 4 days, and the fry will be freeswimming a week later. The female guards the eggs against all other fish, including the male.

Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger and have brighter colors

Prices:

Additional: Old reports about Aequidens pulcher sometimes state that it can reach up to 20 cm, but this is due to mixups with Aequidens rivulatus. Aequidens rivulatus can live up to 10 years.

A movie is available about this fish at LINK

Picture references:Picture 1: E. Naus

References: Baensch and Riehl(1996): Aquarien atlas I. LINK.

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