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Stone-lifting eartheater (Retroculus lapidifer) — Cichlidae

Stone-lifting eartheater

Retroculus lapidifer
Family: Cichlidae

The Stone-lifting eartheater (Retroculus lapidifer) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The stone-lifting eartheater is a cichlid from fresh water of the Tocantins and Araguaia basins in Brazil. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, silver-grey body with glittering spots and a pointed head. As a bottom-dweller it sifts mouthfuls of sand in search of small invertebrates and drags stones to protect its brood. It is a substrate brooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stone-lifting eartheater?

The Stone-lifting eartheater has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Stone-lifting eartheater live?

The Stone-lifting eartheater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Stone-lifting eartheater get?

The Stone-lifting eartheater grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Stone-lifting eartheater dangerous to humans?

No, the Stone-lifting eartheater is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Steenoptiller-aardeter sourced
English name
Stone-lifting eartheater sourced
Scientific name
Retroculus lapidifer
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Retroculus

More from the family Cichlidae

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