Cupid cichlid care guide
Biotodoma cupido
The cupid cichlid, Biotodoma cupido, is a peaceful but group-oriented eartheater from the Amazon basin. It sifts food from sand and therefore needs a soft substrate, good water quality and ample floor space. A specialist aquarium profile recommends a footprint of at least 150 × 45 cm, about 304 litres, and a group of five to eight fish. It is peaceful outside breeding, although a spawning pair defends a site. Trade forms vary by locality and are sometimes confused with Biotodoma wavrini. Check identifying traits and do not automatically treat local colour forms as separate species. This guide distinguishes care ranges from a single field observation and adds no unverified tankmates or products.
Plan your aquarium →At a glance
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 5.0–7.0
- GH
- 1–5 °dGH
- Aquarium length
- At least 150 cm
- Minimum aquarium volume
- At least 304 L
- Adult size
- Up to 10 cm
- Group size
- At least 5–8 individuals
- Temperament
- Peaceful, Territorial
About this species
The accepted name is Biotodoma cupido (Heckel, 1840); it was formerly called Geophagus cupido. Its body is relatively compact and the dark flank blotch sits above the upper lateral line; B. wavrini is longer and its blotch is lower. Colour and shape vary by locality, but additional species are not formally confirmed. The reported maximum of 10 cm is standard length, excluding the tail.Natural habitat
It occurs across much of the Amazon basin, from Peru’s Ucayali east to the Tocantins region, south to the Mamoré and north to Guyana’s Essequibo. Type localities are Rio Negro and Rio Guaporé in Brazil. One observation in a Madeira tributary measured tannin-stained water averaging pH 6.1 and 27.6 °C; this is not a universal target.Aquarium and layout
Plan for at least 150 × 45 cm floor space and about 304 litres. A long footprint matters more than volume alone. Use fine, soft sand for natural foraging. Wood, roots, subdued light and smooth rocks suit its habitat; rocks can provide spawning surfaces. The fish is sensitive to deteriorating water quality and belongs only in a mature aquarium. Use strong biological and mechanical filtration for fine particles. The specialist recommends weekly 50–70% water changes.Water conditions
Seriously Fish lists 20–30 °C, pH 5–7 and 1–5 °dGH; Fishkeeper gives 23–28 °C and pH 5–7. We show 23–28 °C and pH 5–7 as a conservative overlap. The hardness range comes only from the specialist profile. A field measurement of pH 6.1 and 27.6 °C belongs to one location, not a fixed aquarium setting. Keep water stable and avoid abrupt changes.Behaviour and group size
Outside breeding, this species is generally peaceful and social. The specialist recommends a group of five to eight; smaller groups may experience dominance pressure or remain unsettled. A spawning pair defends its site. Avoid aggressive or territorial tankmates and species requiring harder water. No specific fish are linked because overlapping parameters alone do not establish safe compatibility.Feeding
It sifts edible particles from the substrate. Offer fine complete dry foods, varied with small portions of frozen or live bloodworm, Tubifex, Artemia and mosquito larvae. Some dry food may contain spirulina. The specialist recommends three or four small meals daily. Remove leftovers. No exact product with an approved current offer has been confirmed, so no product link is shown.Breeding
This is a biparental substrate spawner. The pair lays eggs on a cleaned flat rock, sometimes in a shallow pit; the rock is more important than the pit. Both parents guard eggs and fry. One aquarium account reported hatching after three to four days at 23–24 °C and movement of larvae to a pit. This is not a guaranteed schedule. Give the pair quiet and space.Sources & review
This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .