
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Dicrossus filamentosus
A small South American cichlid with rows of dark square blotches arranged in a chessboard pattern. Mature males develop an elongated lyre-shaped caudal fin.
Dicrossus filamentosus is a small cichlid from the Orinoco basin between the Rio Inirida in Colombia and Maripa in Venezuela, and from parts of the Brazilian Rio Negro. Rows of dark square blotches form the chessboard pattern that gives the fish its name, and mature males carry an elongated lyre-shaped caudal fin. FishBase records 3.8cm standard length while Seriously Fish gives about 10.2cm for males and 7.6cm for females including the extended fins. It wants warm water at 27-30C, a pH at or below 7 and hardness of 1dH or lower. A 60 x 30cm base and roughly 68 litres is the guide. The species is shy and settles in a densely planted, leaf-littered tank under dim light; it is peaceful but loses out to boisterous tankmates. Breeding calls for very acidic, very soft water at pH 4.5-5.8, yet reports hold that eggs will not hatch below pH 5.8, which makes water chemistry the hardest part. The IUCN Red List assesses it as Least Concern.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Checkerboard Cichlid grows to 3.8-10cm.
The ideal temperature for the Checkerboard Cichlid is 27〜30℃.
Origin
South America (Orinoco basin from the Rio Inirida to Maripa, and parts of the Rio Negro)
Size
3.8-10cm
Temperature
27〜30℃
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Sinking cichlid pellets, spirulina flakes, frozen foods, Daphnia
A 60 x 30cm base, about 68 litres, is the guide. Plant densely, scatter leaf litter for cover and use floating plants to soften the lighting.
Hold a warm 27-30C, with pH at or below 7 and hardness of 1dH or lower. FishBase records 23-25C, pH 5.0-7.0 and 5-8dH in the wild.
Peaceful but shy, and it loses out to more aggressive tankmates. It works in a community of similarly peaceful fish, hugging the bottom among plants and leaf litter.
Use a good sinking cichlid pellet as the staple, varied with spirulina flakes and plenty of frozen food. Live food such as Daphnia brings fish into breeding condition.
Very acidic, very soft water at pH 4.5-5.8 is required and RO water is close to mandatory. Reports also hold that eggs will not hatch below pH 5.8, so water chemistry is the crux.
Assessed Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. It is shy, so avoid bright lighting and boisterous tankmates and diffuse the light with floating plants.
Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.
The ideal temperature for Checkerboard Cichlid is 27〜30℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
Checkerboard Cichlid typically reaches 3.8-10cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Checkerboard Cichlid feeds on: Sinking cichlid pellets, spirulina flakes, frozen foods, Daphnia. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Checkerboard Cichlid varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 16, 2026