Stone Eartheater
Retroculus lapidifer
The colossal and unattainable 'Stone Eartheater' or 'Rapids Eartheater' (15-20 cm). One of the most clamorous anomalies of the cichlid family, it evolved for life on the rocky bottom of the most violent rapids in South America. It lacks a functional swim bladder, spending its entire life crawling on the bottom or clinging to stones with enormous ventral fins. It demands frightening currents, very high oxygenation and hot waters. Expensive, hyper-active and highly territorial cichlid, it is the undisputed king of extreme River-Tanks.
Temperatura da água
26 - 30 °C
Valor de pH
6.5 - 7.5
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
20 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 180 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 1
GH
2 - 8 dGH
KH
1 - 4 dKH
TDS
40 - 160 ppm
Condutividade
63 - 250 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographic Origin and Biotope: FishBase records Retroculus lapidifer from the Amazon River basin and the Tocantins and Capim river basins in Brazil. It records the species as freshwater, benthopelagic and tropical, with a temperature of 22–27 °C.
Taxonomy and Morphology: FishBase records maximum lengths of 19.5 cm SL for male/unsexed specimens and 25.1 cm SL for females.
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 maximum lengths.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
FishBase records Retroculus lapidifer as a freshwater, benthopelagic tropical species with a recorded temperature of 22–27 °C. Its listed distribution is the Amazon River basin and the Tocantins and Capim River basins in Brazil. The listed maximum lengths are 19.5 cm SL for male/unsexed specimens and 25.1 cm SL for females.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Esta espécie é originária de: Sud America (Bacino dei fiumi Araguaia e Tocantins, Brasile).
Origem
Amazônia, Orinoco e Guianas
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Semi-aggressive
- They are generally peaceful towards mid-water swimmers but highly territorial towards other bottom-dwellers. They display fascinating earth-moving behaviors that can constantly reshape the aquarium landscape. They require a specialized setup to exhibit their true, active nature.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- They are specialized benthivores that sift through the substrate for aquatic insects and crustaceans. In the aquarium, they require a diet of high-quality sinking cichlid pellets. Offering frozen bloodworms and krill simulates their natural diet perfectly.
- Expectativa de vida
- 5-8 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 20 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Solitary
- Keeping them in a small group allows a natural pair to form. Once paired, the rest of the group may need to be removed to prevent severe aggression. Single specimens can also thrive without a mate.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- Feed them moderate amounts twice a day. They feed by scooping up sand, so ensure food sinks directly to the bottom. Overfeeding should be avoided to prevent rapid water quality deterioration.
- Carga biológica
- High
- This is a robust, rheophilic cichlid that produces a substantial bioload. Their messy eating habits and size require heavy-duty filtration. Frequent, large water changes are mandatory to maintain the pristine water quality they demand.
- Fluxo
- Stagnant
- They absolutely require strong, highly oxygenated water flow simulating fast rapids. High-turnover canister filters and multiple powerheads are essential for their health. Without powerful flow, they will become lethargic and susceptible to disease.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- While not typically surface jumpers, their powerful swimming can result in accidental leaps. A heavy, secure glass lid is necessary to prevent them from jumping out during sudden bursts of speed. Ensure all equipment gaps are covered.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- They are unique pit-spawners that dig deep nests in the substrate, usually behind rocks. Both parents vigorously defend the nest and the fry against intruders. Breeding requires highly oxygenated water and a specific diet conditioning.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Semi-aggressive
- They are relatively peaceful for cichlids but are highly specialized. They can be kept with other rheophilic species like medium-sized plecos and fast-swimming tetras. Small bottom-dwellers might be aggressively chased away from their feeding territories.
- Nível do tanque
- Bottom
- They are strict bottom-dwellers that spend their entire day interacting with the substrate. A fine sand substrate is absolutely critical to prevent damage to their delicate gills. They will rarely venture into the middle or upper water column.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,5 ± 0,3 se
- Resiliência
- Média (1,4 - 4,4 anos)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.625
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.0182, b = 3.06
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (21 / 100)
Espécies relacionadas
Recomendações agrupadas por parentes próximos, escolhas de acompanhantes e cuidados semelhantes.
