Furry Diary

Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Checkerboard Cichlid

Dicrossus filamentosus (Ladiges, 1958)

Also called Chessboard cichlid, Lyretail checkerboard cichlid

SpeciesShort profile

From South America: the Rio Negro drainage of the Amazon basin and the Orinoco basin, from Colombia's Inirida River to Maripa in Venezuela.123

At a glance the quick version

Length3.8 to 10.2 cm12
Sizesmall
Striking checkerboard pattern
Elegant lyretail fins on males
Relatively peaceful for a cichlid
2

Looks how to spot one

Slim dwarf cichlid

A slender cichlid marked with a checkerboard of dark squares; mature males grow a long, lyre-shaped tail, while females keep a rounded one.2

Colourscheckerboard pattern of dark blocks2

Personality what they are like

Calm and somewhat shy; does best with gentle tankmates and plenty of hiding places.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A bottom-dwelling fish that cruises slowly around plants and cover.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Use dim lighting, dense planting and many hiding places; very soft water (reverse osmosis) helps for breeding.23

Home where they are happiest

Warm, soft, acidic water of about 23 to 30 C, pH roughly 4 to 7 and very low hardness, in at least a 60 x 30 cm base (FishBase suggests 80 cm).213

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivore; sinking cichlid pellets as the staple, plus spirulina flakes, frozen foods and live daphnia.23

Company who they like around

Usually kept as a pair; suits peaceful, non-pushy tankmates.12

The story where it all began

Ladiges described the species in 1958. It was once placed in the genus Crenicara before being moved to Dicrossus, and is told apart from its relative D. maculatus by the male's lyretail.12

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Only males develop the long, lyre-shaped tail that gives it the name lyretail checkerboard cichlid.2

  2. 2

    The female lays eggs on a leaf or the bottom, then sends the male away and guards the brood alone.3

  3. 3

    The eggs take around three days to hatch.3

  4. 4

    It was formerly classified in the genus Crenicara.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List
Least Concern (assessed 18 November 2020)1
Taxonomy
Described by Ladiges in 1958; once placed in the genus Crenicara2

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Checkerboard Cichlid. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Tell me when it launches

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Checkerboard Cichlid?

Feed small amounts once or twice daily. Sinking cichlid pellets make a good staple. For exact portions, check the food label and ask your vet.23 Furry Diary plan

What does a Checkerboard Cichlid eat, and what should it never eat?

It eats sinking cichlid pellets, spirulina flakes, frozen foods, and live daphnia. Avoid any food that could harm it; ask your vet for a safe list.23

How much space does a Checkerboard Cichlid need?

A tank with a base of at least 60 x 30 cm is recommended, with FishBase suggesting 80 cm. Provide plenty of hiding places and dense planting.213

What temperature, light or water does a Checkerboard Cichlid need?

Keep water temperature between 23 and 30°C, pH 4 to 7, with very low hardness. Use dim lighting and dense planting. Very soft water (reverse osmosis) helps for breeding.213

How often should I clean a Checkerboard Cichlid's home?

Perform a 25% water change weekly, clean the glass weekly, and rinse the filter in old tank water monthly. Never use tap water for the filter. Furry Diary plan

Can a Checkerboard Cichlid live with others?

Yes, it can live with others. Best kept as a pair or with peaceful, non-pushy tankmates. Provide plenty of hiding places.12

How long does a Checkerboard Cichlid live?

Lifespan varies; ask your vet or a good breeder for typical expectations.

Can I handle a Checkerboard Cichlid?

Handling is not recommended; this calm, shy fish can become stressed. Only use a net for transfers.2

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

  1. FishBase: Dicrossus filamentosus fishbase.seused for distribution, size, IUCN, describer, aquarium notes
  2. Seriously Fish: Dicrossus filamentosus seriouslyfish.comused for size, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, dimorphism, taxonomy
  3. Wikipedia: Dicrossus filamentosus en.wikipedia.orgused for distribution, breeding behaviour, water parameters
  4. VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
  5. ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  6. ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  7. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  8. RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.