Grand Laussat Cichlid
Guianacara owroewefi
Native to northeastern South America, specifically the river systems of Suriname and French Guiana. It inhabits moderate-flowing rivers and streams wi.
Water Temperature
23 - 28 °C
pH Value
6 - 7.2
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
12 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 200 L
Minimum group
>= 2
GH
2 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 5 dKH
TDS
40 - 200 ppm
Conductivity
63 - 313 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to northeastern South America, specifically the river systems of Suriname and French Guiana. It inhabits moderate-flowing rivers and streams with sandy substrates and scattered large rocks.
Taxonomy and Morphology: A member of the Cichlidae family. This medium-sized cichlid features a deep, robust body, growing up to 12.0 cm. It has a downward-facing mouth adapted for sifting through the substrate.
Social Behavior: Territorially aggressive during breeding but generally peaceful otherwise. Best kept in compatible pairs or small groups in spacious tanks with clear territorial markers.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silvery-gold body with a distinctive black vertical bar on the mid-body. Adult males develop a prominent nuchal hump and longer dorsal and anal fin filaments compared to females.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: A large tank of at least 200 liters is required. The substrate must consist of fine sand to accommodate their digging and sifting behaviors. Set up large, stable rock caves.
Diet and Feeding: Benthic omnivore. Naturally feeds by sifting sand. Offer high-quality sinking pellets, supplemented with frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp, plus occasional vegetable matter.
Water Quality: Demands well-filtered, oxygen-rich water. Keep temperature at 23-28°C, pH 6.0-7.2, and GH 2-10 dGH. Regular partial water changes are essential.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful with robust community tankmates like tetras or medium-sized characins and armored Corydoras catfish. Avoid housing with very small fish.
Aquarium Breeding: Cave spawner. Both parents participate in defending the nest and caring for the fry. Fry can be fed with newly hatched brine shrimp.
Risks and Diseases: Highly sensitive to organic waste and high nitrate levels. Sand bed must be kept clean to prevent bacterial infections and gill rot.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to northeastern South America, specifically the river systems of Suriname and French Guiana. It inhabits moderate-flowing rivers and streams with sandy substrates and scattered large rocks.
Origin
Amazon, Orinoco, and GuianasNorth America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Territorial
- Overall, they exhibit a peaceful demeanor towards other species, but they are known to be territorial among their own kind. During the breeding season, both sexes become fiercely protective of their spawning sites and fry, potentially showing aggression to any intruders. Outside of breeding, they are somewhat shy and require a complex environment with plenty of hiding spaces to feel secure. Creating distinct visual barriers helps manage their territorial nature.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- In their natural habitat, they are micro-predators that sift through the substrate for small invertebrates, insect larvae, and zooplankton. In captivity, they should be offered a varied and high-quality diet consisting of sinking micro-pellets and flakes. Supplementing their diet regularly with live or frozen foods like daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms will promote optimal health and vibrant coloration. Variety is key to preventing nutritional deficiencies.
- Life expectancy
- 5-8 years
- The lifespan of this cichlid in captivity typically ranges from 5 to 8 years under healthy conditions. Proper aquarium maintenance, featuring regular water changes and chemical stability, is essential to prevent common diseases. Providing balanced nutrition prevents deficiencies that could compromise their long-term vitality. Quiet, spacious environments reduce stress and support a longer, healthier life.
- Adult size
- 12 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 12 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 10.7 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Guianacara owroewefi (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Harem
- In a suitably sized aquarium, they are best maintained in a harem configuration consisting of one dominant male and several females. If the tank is on the smaller side, maintaining a single compatible pair is the safest approach to minimize intraspecific aggression. Keeping multiple males usually requires a very large footprint with complex hardscape to break lines of sight and establish distinct territories. Proper sex ratios are vital for a peaceful tank.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- It is highly recommended to feed them small portions once or twice daily to maintain their metabolism and overall well-being. Care must be taken to only offer an amount they can completely consume within a couple of minutes to avoid fouling the water. Overfeeding is a common mistake that can lead to severe water quality issues. Fasting the fish for one day per week can also help clear their digestive tract.
- Bioload
- This species has a relatively low bioload compared to larger cichlids, making it suitable for appropriately sized setups. However, they are highly sensitive to deteriorating water conditions and elevated nitrates. Maintaining pristine water quality through adequate filtration and regular water changes is absolutely crucial for their long-term health. A heavily planted tank can also help absorb excess nutrients and keep the environment stable.
- Flow
- Moderate
- Originating from slow-moving streams, backwaters, and sluggish tributaries, they strongly prefer gentle water flow in the aquarium. Strong currents will cause them undue stress and force them to expend unnecessary energy just to maintain their position. Filtration should be baffled if necessary to provide a calm environment, particularly near the substrate where they spend most of their time. Mimicking this natural calm flow is essential for their comfort.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are typical cave spawners, utilizing secluded crevices, leaf litter, or natural hollows to lay their eggs. The female assumes the primary responsibility of guarding the eggs and the subsequent fry, often becoming highly reclusive. The male's role involves defending a larger peripheral territory against any perceived threats. Providing plenty of hiding spots like coconut caves, PVC pipes, and dense vegetation is critical for successful breeding.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Peaceful
- They are best kept in a species-specific aquarium or a peaceful community tank with small, non-aggressive dither fish like tetras or rasboras. Fast-swimming or boisterous tank mates should be avoided as they will easily outcompete this species for food and induce stress. Bottom-dwelling species such as Corydoras might face territorial disputes, especially if breeding behaviors commence. Careful selection of tank mates is necessary to ensure a harmonious environment.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- These cichlids are heavily associated with the lower levels of the aquarium, frequently interacting with the substrate. They are known for their earth-eating behavior, constantly sifting through sand to find edible morsels. Because of this, a soft sandy substrate is absolutely mandatory to prevent damage to their delicate gills. They will occasionally venture to the middle levels, especially when seeking food.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.5 ± 0.37 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5078
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.0257, b = 3.08
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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