Monogramma Goby Cichlid
Teleocichla monogramma
The incredible 'Tocantins Goby Cichlid' (5-7 cm). Congener of the centrarchus, the Teleocichla monogramma is another astounding "cichlid without a swim bladder" forced to benthic life. It differs by origin (Rio Tocantins, a moderately cooler habitat) and by livery: it shows off a very marked continuous black stripe (a monogram) from snout to tail that enhances its flattened cigar shape. It too is an evolutionary relic adapted exclusively to life in extremely violent rapids (Clearwater rapids). Devastating towards conspecifics if confined in little space, it is a jewel of extreme technical difficulty.
Température de l’eau
24 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond
Taille adulte
7 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 100 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
GH
1 - 5 dGH
KH
1 - 2 dKH
TDS
25 - 95 ppm
Conductivité
39 - 148 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographic Origin and Biotope: FishBase records Teleocichla monogramma from the Amazon basin, in the Xingu River drainage at Cachoeira von Martius, Brazil. It records the species as freshwater, benthopelagic and tropical, with a temperature of 27–33 °C.
Taxonomy and Morphology: FishBase records a maximum length of 6.3 cm SL for male/unsexed specimens.
Social Behaviour: This recovery makes no statement about social behaviour.
Colouration and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery makes no statement about colouration or sexual dimorphism beyond the separately recorded male/unsexed maximum length.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
FishBase records Teleocichla monogramma as freshwater, benthopelagic and tropical, with a recorded temperature of 27–33 °C. FishBase records a maximum length of 6.3 cm SL for male/unsexed specimens. The page records 19–21 dorsal spines, 8–11 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, 9–10 anal soft rays and an elongated body shape.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Cette espèce provient de : Sud America (Bacino del fiume Tocantins, Brasile).
Origine
Amazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- Teleocichla monogramma is exceptionally aggressive, highly territorial, and fearless. They command the bottom of the tank and will violently expel any intruders from their chosen area. They are reclusive by nature, preferring to observe the tank from the safety of a rocky crevice. They are a specialized fish meant only for dedicated and experienced aquarists.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- They are strict carnivores that thrive on a diet of small aquatic invertebrates. In the aquarium, they heavily rely on frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and mysis. They will usually refuse all dry prepared foods like flakes and pellets. A varied meaty diet is necessary to maintain their health and stimulate breeding.
- Espérance de vie
- 3-5 years
- Taille adulte
- 7 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Pair
- They should only be kept as a single mated pair in most aquariums. Intraspecific aggression is extreme, and any extra conspecifics will be ruthlessly hunted down and killed. Forming a pair usually requires purchasing a group of juveniles and carefully observing them until two pair off, then immediately removing the rest. Males are generally slightly larger and more colorful than females.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- They should be fed small amounts once or twice daily. As ambush predators, they will patiently wait for food to drift past their hiding spots before striking. Care must be taken to ensure they receive enough food without overfeeding the tank and ruining the water quality. Siphoning out uneaten food is a mandatory maintenance task.
- Charge biologique
- Low to Medium
- Similar to its relative T. centrarchus, this dwarf cichlid has a manageable bioload but zero tolerance for poor water quality. The necessity for a pristine, highly oxygenated environment means massive over-filtration is required. Regular, large water changes are vital to keep nitrogenous waste to an absolute minimum. They are highly susceptible to disease if water quality drops even slightly.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- They are extreme rheophiles requiring a specialized river-manifold aquarium setup with unidirectional, torrential flow. The strong current mimics their natural habitat in the clearwater rapids of the Xingu basin. High flow rates ensure the maximum dissolved oxygen levels they absolutely require to survive. Without this vigorous current, they will quickly deteriorate and perish.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Due to the required strong currents and their darting swimming style, the jump risk is high. They can easily propel themselves over the tank rim during territorial disputes or while striking at food. A heavy, completely sealed glass or polycarbonate lid is strictly necessary. Care must be taken during maintenance not to startle them.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding this species is a significant challenge achieved by few aquarists. They are cave spawners that lay their eggs in the tightest possible crevices beneath heavy river stones. The female guards the clutch aggressively, while the male protects the surrounding territory. If successful, the fry require immediate access to microscopic live foods in a high-flow environment.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- With caution
- They are fiercely territorial bottom dwellers that are intolerant of other benthic fish. Suitable tankmates are limited to active, top-dwelling schooling fish like hatchetfish or specific robust tetras. Keeping them with Corydoras, plecos, or other bottom-feeding cichlids will inevitably result in severe stress and fatalities. They will eagerly consume any tankmate small enough to fit in their mouths.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Bottom
- They are entirely restricted to the bottom substrate due to their specialized anatomy and lack of a swim bladder. They move by hopping and darting among smooth river rocks and gravel. The aquarium must be scaped with a complex matrix of stones to provide the tight crevices they use for shelter and spawning. Plants are generally unnecessary and often destroyed by the high current.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,2 ± 0,5 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.502
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00776, b = 3.12
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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