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Biotoecus opercularis — Cichlidae

Biotoecus opercularis

Biotoecus opercularis
Family: Cichlidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Biotoecus opercularis is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Amazon and Orinoco basins
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Biotoecus opercularis is a small, slender dwarf cichlid from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate body with fine, iridescent colour accents and flared fins. As a bottom-dweller it lives in soft, acidic, slow water among leaf litter and searches for small zooplankton and invertebrates. It is a cave-brooder that guards its eggs and young. The fish appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Biotoecus opercularis?

The Biotoecus opercularis has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Slender body with glossy accents; cave-breeding dwarf cichlid

Where does the Biotoecus opercularis live?

The Biotoecus opercularis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Amazon and Orinoco basins

How big does the Biotoecus opercularis get?

The Biotoecus opercularis grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Biotoecus opercularis dangerous to humans?

No, the Biotoecus opercularis is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Biotoecus opercularis edible?

The Biotoecus opercularis is not usually eaten.

More photos

Biotoecus opercularis — Cichlidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Biotoecus opercularis verified
Scientific name
Biotoecus opercularis
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Amazon and Orinoco basins verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Cave-brooding leaf-litter cichlid; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Slender body with glossy accents; cave-breeding dwarf cichlid sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Biotoecus

More from the family Cichlidae

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