Orinoco Cupid Cichlid (Biotodoma wavrini)

Remarks:  The Orinoco cupid cichlid (Biotodoma wavrini) is a rare relative of the ever-popular cupid cichlid (Biotodoma cupido) and the only other accepted member of the Biotodoma genus. They bear a heavy resemblance to the more common cupid cichlid. Both species display the same silver or tan body, black vertical band over the eyes, blue and red fins, blue spots and stripes on the face, iridescent blue-green sheen across the whole body, and a black spot on the back half of the fish. This makes the two species difficult, but not impossible, to differentiate. It has been noted that B. wavrini has a more elongated body and a more pointed snout compared to B. cupido, but this can be hard to tell without having one of each to compare. Instead, most look to the black spot on the back half of the body. In B. wavrini, the spot is between the two lateral lines this genus possesses. In B. cupido, this same spot is located above the upper lateral line. In both species, there is very little sexual dimorphism with the only tells being that males are slightly larger with slightly longer fins.

  While the more common cupid cichlid has a very broad range with many different localities that can have slight visual differences, the Orinoco cupid cichlid has a more restricted range with populations across the species having little to no visual differences. The Orinoco cupid cichlid is reported to be found in the Río Orinoco in Colombia and Venezuela, the Río Negro in Brazil and Colombia, and the Río Casiquiare in Brazil and Venezuela. They specifically can be found in shallow blackwater habitats where the water has very little current, a low pH, extremely low hardness/conductivity, and little nutrients. The substrate consists of soft mud or sand and is littered with high amounts of leaf litter and sunken wood.

  In the aquarium, Orinoco cupid cichlids will not tolerate poor water quality or incorrect water parameters. This makes them a poor choice for an aquarium that has not yet been given time to mature and stabilize or those without consistent management. They also dislike bright lights, many noting they color up best in low light, and can be very skittish. The best way to ensure the Orinoco cupid cichlid will thrive is to try to replicate its natural environment as much as possible, use reduced lighting and/or provide plenty of shaded areas, and perform regular water changes to keep pollutants as low as possible. A soft sand substrate is also required as these fish feed via sand-sifting and sharp or large substrate pieces can cause damage to the gills, choking, and even an unwillingness to feed. This feeding style means that sinking foods are ideal for feeding the Orinoco cupid with variety also being paramount as they are omnivores that feed on a broad range of foods in the wild.

  In the wild, Orinoco cupid cichlids live in large shoals with younger fish being in larger groups, typically only separating when pairing up to spawn. With how sociable they are, these peaceful cichlids should be kept in either mated pairs or in groups of at least 5-8. Smaller groups such as trios are not recommended as such small numbers leads to less dominant fish being more easily singled out resulting in excessive bullying. While Orinoco cupid cichlids are generally peaceful, they can become slightly territorial when spawning, so keep this in mind if keeping a pair with other fish. However, it has been noted this species is very difficult to trigger to spawn, most assuming an extremely low pH is required, so you are unlikely to run into such behavior. Their peaceful demeanor makes the Orinoco cupid cichlid an excellent candidate for a community tank with the only requirements being that potential tank mates prefer the same water parameters, are at least slightly larger than the eye of the cichlid as that means they will be too large to swallow, and are not overly aggressive or boisterous.