Kraussii Basketmouth
Caquetaia kraussii
The massive 'Wolf Cichlid' or 'Yellow Basketmouth' (25-30 cm). A macro-benthic predator with a formidable and lethal appearance, the Caquetaia kraussii is the terror of smaller fish thanks to its astounding protrusible mouth (which stretches into a tube to suck in prey from unsuspected distances). Robust, it often shows off orange-gold hues and marked vertical bands. Despite its mastiff-like appearance and murderous voracity towards everything that fits in its mouth, it is not a ruthless killer with tankmates of the same size. Reserved for immense aquariums (over 600 liters) and tanks for large predators.
Température de l’eau
24 - 29 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond et milieu
Taille adulte
25 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 300 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
GH
2 - 15 dGH
KH
1 - 7 dKH
TDS
40 - 295 ppm
Conductivité
63 - 461 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the Magdalena River basin and Lake Maracaibo (Colombia, Venezuela). Populates highly diverse habitats, including quiet lakes and moderate-flowing tributaries.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Caquetaia Kraussii. Large South American predatory cichlid (over 25 cm / 10 inches). Presents a remarkable predatory adaptation: the protractile jaw that extends for over 1/4 of the total length of the fish, forming a "tube" to suck in prey.
Social Behavior: Solitary and very aggressive. Highly intolerant towards conspecifics if the tank is not of public proportions. Fiercely defends its territory from anyone.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Iridescent livery depending on the mood. Golden-gray background with conspicuous dark vertical bands on the back and an evident ocellus at the base of the tail. Males become much more massive, with sharp odd fins.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Minimum 150 cm (60 inches) tank. Needs wide spaces and very few furnishings, limited to robust submerged roots and flat stones. Plants will be regularly uprooted or destroyed.
Diet and Feeding: Macro-eater and piscivore. Swallows surprisingly large fish thanks to the telescopic mouth. Accepts Jumbo size pellets, whole krill, white fish fillets and giant earthworms.
Water Quality: Very resilient. Tolerates a wide range of hardness and pH, but produces enormous waste. A massive mechanical and biological filtration (preferably with sump) is mandatory.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: "Monster Tank" species. Can only coexist with fish of equal or greater size (e.g. large Plecostomus, Oscars, Pacu), provided they are in suitable water volumes. Eats anyone that fits in its mouth.
Aquarium Breeding: Open substrate spawners. Reproduction in the aquarium is hindered by the ferocity of the pair: the male can kill the female if she is not ready to spawn. Parents defend the offspring by butchering tankmates.
Risks and Diseases: Robust to parasites, but risks severe infections to the labial and maxillary tissues (which it uses as a weapon and extends to hunt) if it crashes against sharp furnishings or glass.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Native to the Magdalena River basin and Lake Maracaibo (Colombia, Venezuela). Populates highly diverse habitats, including quiet lakes and moderate-flowing tributaries.
Origine
Amérique du Sud hors Amazonie
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- This cichlid is highly territorial, aggressive, and exhibits strong predatory behavior. They are active hunters with highly protrusible jaws that allow them to swallow prey up to half their own size. While they are usually tolerant of similarly sized robust species, they will show no mercy to smaller tankmates. During spawning, their protective instincts intensify, and they will fiercely attack any fish that approaches their nesting site.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- Caquetaia kraussii is a strict carnivore and an efficient piscivore in its natural habitat. In captivity, they should be offered a variety of high-protein foods such as large pellets, earthworms, krill, and frozen silversides. Feeder fish can be used occasionally, but only if they are quarantined and guaranteed disease-free to prevent infections. Avoid feeding them mammalian meats like beef heart, as these contain fats that are difficult for their digestive systems to process.
- Espérance de vie
- 10-15 years
- Taille adulte
- 25 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- 1:1 ratio
- In the aquarium, Caquetaia kraussii is best kept as a single specimen or as an established, bonded heterosexual pair. Attempting to keep multiple males or random groupings in a standard tank will lead to extreme territorial aggression and potential fatalities. If a breeding pair is desired, it is best to buy a group of juveniles and allow them to pair off naturally, removing the remaining fish once a pair forms. In very large setups, a harem with one male and multiple females might succeed, but a 1:1 ratio is generally the safest approach.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Juvenile Caquetaia kraussii should be fed once or twice daily to support their rapid growth and development. For fully grown adults, feeding once a day or even every other day is sufficient to maintain a healthy weight. Overfeeding should be strictly avoided, as it leads to rapid water quality deterioration and can cause digestive issues or obesity in the fish. Keep track of their body condition and adjust the feeding amounts to ensure they remain active and lean.
- Charge biologique
- High
- Caquetaia kraussii is a large, predatory cichlid that produces a substantial amount of organic waste, resulting in a high biological load. Maintaining pristine water quality is essential, requiring a robust filtration system, such as a large canister filter or sump system. Regular weekly water changes of 30% to 50% are strongly recommended to control nitrate levels and keep the environment clean. Proper aeration and mechanical filtration must also be employed to handle the heavy solid waste produced by their protein-rich diet.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- In the wild, this species is typically found in slow-moving rivers, marshes, and vegetated lagoons. Therefore, they prefer weak to moderate water currents in the aquarium rather than high-flow torrents. The filtration system should provide efficient water turnover without creating strong, exhausting currents that force the fish to constantly swim against the stream. Utilizing spray bars or directing filter outlets against the glass can help distribute the flow gently.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Although they are heavy-bodied cichlids, Caquetaia kraussii possesses a strong startle reflex and is capable of jumping out of the water when spooked. Sudden lighting changes, maintenance activities, or territorial chases can cause them to dart upward and leap. A tight-fitting, heavy lid or a secure mesh jump guard is absolutely necessary to prevent accidental escapes. Ensure that all gaps around filter pipes and heaters are completely blocked to guarantee their safety.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- This species is a prolific substrate spawner that is relatively easy to breed once a compatible pair is formed. The female will typically lay up to 2,000 eggs on a pre-cleaned flat rock, piece of slate, or driftwood. Both parents display exceptional parental care, defending the nest and subsequently the free-swimming fry with intense aggression. During the breeding cycle, it is highly recommended to isolate the pair in a dedicated breeding tank to protect other inhabitants.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- With caution
- Due to their predatory nature and territorial aggression, compatibility is highly restricted. They must not be housed with any fish small enough to be swallowed, such as small tetras, guppies, or dwarf cichlids. Suitable tankmates include other large, robust Central or South American cichlids, large catfish, and active dither fish like silver dollars. However, the tank must be extremely spacious with clearly defined visual barriers to prevent territorial disputes.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle/Bottom
- This species is primarily active in the bottom to middle zones of the aquarium, where they can find cover among plants and driftwood. As ambush predators, they spend much of their time hovering near structures, waiting for prey to pass by. They will occasionally venture to the upper levels during feeding times, but their natural comfort zone remains in the lower half of the water column. Providing low-lying caves, large rocks, and sturdy branches helps them establish their preferred swimming and resting territory.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,4 ± 0,85 se
- Résilience
- Moyenne (1,4 - 4,4 ans)
- Temps de génération
- 2,6 ans
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.625
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.0309, b = 3.01
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (22 / 100)
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