ID: Checkerboard cichlid?

**joe** · 13th Feb 2006, 14:58

Cichlid newbie here. I saw a kind of cichlid with checkerboard patterns on its body at C328 top tank on the left hand side. The fins are bluish. Are these good community fishes? Whats the scientific name for it??

**yorky** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:18

Hi Joe, can you confirm if it looks like this picture from Benny?

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=17201

If so, yes I've found them good in community tanks.

**valice** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:26

If it is a Dicrossus, and it being a cichlid, it would still disturb shrimps and anything that could fit it into its mouth right?

**joe** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:29

Hmmm I'm not very good at cichlids but it sure looks the one that benny posted. I remember one has some red colour on the bottom fin too. So Apistogramma viejita is the correct name for it?

**yorky** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:29

Originally Posted by valice

If it is a Dicrossus, and it being a cichlid, it would still disturb shrimps and anything that could fit it into its mouth right?

I've kept them in community tanks with Yamato shrimps..
They do not eat them nor disturb them at all.
Found them very peace-loving.
However I can't say about smaller shrimps like cherry, CRS...

**yorky** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:31

Originally Posted by joe

Hmmm I'm not very good at cichlids but it sure looks the one that benny posted. I remember one has some red colour on the bottom fin too. So Apistogramma viejita is the correct name for it?

Joe, it is Dicrossus filamentosus.

**joe** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:33

Originally Posted by yorky

Joe, it is Dicrossus Filamentosus.

Oops never read correctly

As valice mentioned, is it fierce towards shrimps?

**Justikanz** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:43

Think you are talking about the Dicrossus sp.?... They say, it disturbs shrimps, even if it is peaceful...

I am so tempted to get them...

Benny's pic...

**yorky** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:48

Justikanz, which Dicrossus sp are you talking about?

**Justikanz** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:52

You mean the different Dicrossus spp. would behave differently towards shrimps? They are of the same size, right? Anyway, the ones at C328, are they D. filamentosus?

**yorky** · 13th Feb 2006, 15:57

We might have misunderstood each other..
Only Joe can confirm since he saw it.

That's why I provided Benny's pic for his reference.
Nonetheless, Filamentosus are one of the most peace-loving dwarf cichlids.
Can say much about the other Dicrosus species as limited in knowledge.

**Justikanz** · 13th Feb 2006, 16:01

Oh, anyway, I was slow lah... Between the time I saw Joe's post, reply to it and then submit, you guys were already chatting on it liao!

**joe** · 13th Feb 2006, 17:25

Dun care liao ... as long pretty buy and keep

**benny** · 13th Feb 2006, 17:43

Yup. Confirm it's Dicrossus filamentosus, also known as checkerboard cichlid. Will disturb small shrimps. Take note of that. Otherwise, it's a great fish for a planted community tank. You can even keep a bunch of them as they are not as territorial as some of the Apistogramma species.

Cheers,

**valice** · 13th Feb 2006, 18:34

Actually when we talk about small shrimps... Only the shrimplets right? For adult cherries, it is can be considered quite big... About half the size of a yamato...