Dolphin Cichlid

About

The dolphin cichlid (Krobia itanyi) is a modestly sized cichlid from the slow, shallow creek systems draining into the Marowijne River along the Suriname and French Guiana border. In the wild it shares these rocky, silty waterways with a mix of small tetras, catfish, and other regionally typical species, suggesting it does best in setups that replicate that calm, dimly lit feel. Males run a bit larger than females and develop noticeably more color along with elongated dorsal, anal, and ventral fins. The latter reaching well back toward the anal fin origin, which makes sexing mature fish fairly straightforward. As cichlids go, this one sits on the calmer end of the temperament scale outside of breeding season, but don't let that fool you. Pairs become seriously territorial when spawning, aggressively defending a flat stone surface where they'll deposit a substantial clutch of eggs. Both parents share guarding duties, which makes observing a spawning pair genuinely rewarding. The diet in nature leans toward small crustaceans and insect larvae, so a varied menu of meaty frozen or live foods will keep these fish in good condition. An intermediate-level species, the dolphin cichlid suits keepers who have some cichlid experience and can provide appropriate space for a pair.