Checkerboard cichlid
Dicrossus filamentosus
- Tank length
- 28 cm11 in
- Start with
- 1
- Temperature
- 22–30 °C72–86 °F
- pH
- 5.5–7.8
- Adult size
- 7 cm3 in
- Lifespan
- 3–5 yrs
Needs very soft, acidic, clean water; keep one male with several females and only calm small tankmates.Needs very soft, acidic, clean water; keep one male with several females and only calm small tankmates.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- American flagfish
American flagfish may nip Checkerboard cichlidAmerican flagfish may nip Checkerboard cichlid
- Blind cave tetra
Blind cave tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlidBlind cave tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlid
- Buenos Aires tetra
Buenos Aires tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlidBuenos Aires tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlid
- Butterfly splitfin
Butterfly splitfin may nip Checkerboard cichlidButterfly splitfin may nip Checkerboard cichlid
- Chinese barb
Chinese barb may nip Checkerboard cichlidChinese barb may nip Checkerboard cichlid
- Colombian tetra
Colombian tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlidColombian tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlid
- Red eye tetra
Red eye tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlidRed eye tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlid
- Silvertip tetra
Silvertip tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlidSilvertip tetra may nip Checkerboard cichlid
- Ticto barb
Ticto barb may nip Checkerboard cichlidTicto barb may nip Checkerboard cichlid
- African pike
African pike may eat Checkerboard cichlidAfrican pike may eat Checkerboard cichlid
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat Checkerboard cichlidAlligator gar may eat Checkerboard cichlid
- Amazon puffer
Amazon puffer may nip Checkerboard cichlidAmazon puffer may nip Checkerboard cichlid
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 22–30 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.5–7.8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
| Origin | Rio Negro and Orinoco basins, South America | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | peaceful | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 3–5 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 10 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |