Biotoecus

Biotecus opercularis

Biotoecus is a genus of the family of cichlids ( Cichlidae ), which in northern South America in the central Amazon basin ( catchment area of ​​Rio Negro) and occurs in the basin of the Orinoco. The name was probably awarded under the assumption that the fish are mouth brooders ( Gr.: "bios " = life, " oikos " = house).

Features

Biotoecus species are 4 to 6 cm long. They act like juveniles of other genera of cichlid, are brownish to bluish and partly transparent. A spot on the gill cover is always spots on the flanks are not always visible. Due to the extremely long caudal peduncle they appear very stretched.

Biotoecus species live in shallow, calm water on mud floors or fall foliage. You are caves or pit spawners. The nest, which can contain up to 200 eggs is looked after by the female, while the male defends the territory (Mann- parent family).

Species

So far, two types have been described.

• Biotoecus dicentrarchus Kullander, 1989
• Biotoecus opercularis ( Steindachner, 1875)