Xingu Goby Cichlid
Teleocichla centrarchus
The 'Xingu Goby Cichlid' (5-7 cm). An evolutionary miracle of the Brazilian rapids: the Teleocichla centrarchus has sacrificed its swim bladder to live flattened on smooth boulders, resisting extremely violent water currents. Morphologically similar to a marine goby, it rests on its large pelvic fins so as not to be swept away. Extremely territorial towards the bottom, it requires a specialized aquarium (River Manifold) with high temperatures and very strong water flow, under penalty of asphyxiation in a few hours. Totally unsuited for classic Amazonian community aquariums.
Water Temperature
26 - 30 °C
pH Value
6 - 7
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
7 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 100 L
Minimum group
>= 1
GH
1 - 5 dGH
KH
1 - 2 dKH
TDS
25 - 95 ppm
Conductivity
39 - 148 uS/cm
Species description
Geographic Origin and Biotope: FishBase records Teleocichla centrarchus from the Xingu River drainage at Cachoeira von Martius, Brazil, within the Amazon basin. It records the species as freshwater, benthopelagic and tropical.
Taxonomy and Morphology: FishBase records a maximum length of 6.0 cm SL for male/unsexed specimens, 34–37 vertebrae and an elongate body shape.
Social Behaviour: This recovery makes no statement about social behaviour.
Colouration and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery makes no statement about colouration or sexual dimorphism.
Care, breeding and tankmates
FishBase records Teleocichla centrarchus as freshwater, benthopelagic and tropical. Its recorded distribution is the Xingu River drainage at Cachoeira von Martius, Brazil, in the Amazon River basin. FishBase records a maximum length of 6.0 cm SL for male/unsexed specimens.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species originates from: Sud America (Bacino del fiume Xingu, Brasile).
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsAmazon, Orinoco, and Guianas
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- They are highly aggressive and fiercely territorial despite their small size. They are fearless and will not hesitate to attack fish much larger than themselves to defend their chosen cave. Their ambush-predator nature makes them secretive, spending much of their time peering out from under rocks. They require an owner who understands and accommodates their highly specialized needs.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- They are strict carnivores and highly specialized predators in the wild. Their aquarium diet must consist of meaty, high-protein foods like frozen bloodworms, mysis shrimp, and chopped krill. They generally ignore dry flakes or pellets, requiring live or frozen foods to survive. Providing a varied carnivorous diet is essential to trigger breeding behavior.
- Life expectancy
- 5-8 years
- This dwarf rheophilic cichlid has a life expectancy ranging from 5 to 8 years in captivity when kept under optimal conditions. To ensure their longevity, it is crucial to maintain warm, stable temperatures and extremely high dissolved oxygen levels. Inadequate water parameters and the presence of nitrogenous waste drastically reduce their resistance. A nutritious diet promotes proper biological development for this unique fish.
- Adult size
- 7 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 7 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 6 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Teleocichla centrarchus (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
- Pair
- They are best kept as a single, established male-female pair. Intraspecific aggression is incredibly high, and males will fight relentlessly in anything but the largest aquariums. Even keeping multiple females can lead to severe bullying and death. Establishing a pair often requires growing out a group of juveniles and removing the others once a pair bonds.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Feed them small portions one to two times a day. They are ambush predators that dart out from cover to snatch their food. Ensure that mid-water fish do not outcompete them before the food reaches the bottom. Uneaten meaty foods must be removed promptly to prevent fouling the pristine water they require.
- Bioload
- This dwarf pike cichlid generates a relatively low to moderate bioload due to its small size and carnivorous diet. However, they demand pristine, highly oxygenated water conditions. Excellent biological and mechanical filtration is absolutely critical to remove waste quickly. Frequent, significant water changes are non-negotiable to maintain the low nitrate levels they require to thrive.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- Originating from the fast-flowing Xingu river rapids, they absolutely demand strong, turbulent water flow. Powerful powerheads or specialized river-manifold systems are required to simulate their natural rheophilic environment. The water must be exceptionally well-oxygenated. They lack a functional swim bladder, allowing them to rest easily on the bottom despite the raging current.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are secretive cave spawners that are difficult to breed in captivity. They require a tight crevice or cave under a rock where the female will deposit her eggs. The female takes sole responsibility for guarding the eggs and fry, becoming viciously aggressive toward any intruders. The male guards the wider perimeter but is often chased away by the female.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- They are highly territorial bottom-dwellers that do not tolerate other benthic species well. They are best kept with fast-swimming, upper-level dither fish like large tetras or hatchetfish. They will aggressively attack Corydoras, loaches, or other dwarf cichlids that encroach on their space. Small fish or shrimp will be considered prey and quickly eaten.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- They are obligate bottom dwellers that virtually never leave the substrate. Their lack of a swim bladder means they move in quick, darting hops along the rocks and sand. The tank must be furnished with abundant smooth river rocks and tight crevices to mimic their natural rapids. Open swimming space in the upper levels is irrelevant to them.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.1 ± 0.5 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.502
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.00776, b = 3.12
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
