I really enjoyed this video. Checkerboard Cichlids are utterly fascinating little critters. I don't think it can be overstated how much personality they have. I am definitely thinking of adding some to my Brazilian tank after I've overhauled the aquascape. Thank you for this video.

I just got mine today from the wet spot tropical they are reliable and fish all came in great condition. Thank you for showing us the best way of keeping and breeding this cichlids

I like the look. Very natural.

I am planning for our first aquarium once we find a larger home to rent. Fortunately we live about 1 hour from the Rio Negro and our water is around 6.2 from the tap. Cannot wait to get some of these to put in our 120 gallon discus tank.

I think the tannin-stained tea-coloured water sets off the fish’s colours really well. Since this is their natural environment, I don’t see why the fishkeeper can’t enjoy it as much as the fish do 😊

I noticed in the TFH magazine article the following: Dark sand can be used as substrate; a substrate that is too bright carries the risk of spooking the fish. Just something to keep in mind. Nice video though and a very attractive little Cichlid.

Amazing tank! I love the way they move!

Hi John, congrats on your checkerboards! I love this genus. I was lucky to keep filamentosus and maculatus, unfortunately never able to raise any fry. One thing to note is that females taking care of eggs/fry can be nasty. Moreover, consider adding some smaller pieces of leaves into the tank. One of the coolest features of Dicrossus is that they use their downturned (subterminal) mouth to turn leaves in the search of food. Really amazing sight when a 1.5" fish fights a 4" leaf! Also, I strongly advice against bloodworms. They are good for large fish like stingrays, but all dwarfs can be badly affected by the heavy metals contained in them or the razor sharp "teeth" they are armed with. Black/glass mosquito larvae, artemia, daphnia are much, much better types of food. Cheers!

Very underrated fish! Just got a small group of 4 for my 75 gal Blackwater tank. They are very nice fish!

Tank looks amazing, I love the tannic water. Looks like a great little fish

Thanks for the info. I was debating getting them and now I'm positive I'm getting them. I have a blackwater tank already with nothing in it and the wet spot is my local fish store.

I love it i kept apistogramma Panduro in a similar setup 15 gallon tank when I wanted them to spawn I did water changes with distilled water and that would trigger spawning

Great video, John! I think it's your substrate that is causing your pH to remain high. If you read some of the reviews on Petsmart's website, you'll see some people have issues with the sand raising their pH. I have the same substrate, except in black, for my 125 gallon barb tank. Not sure how much it's affecting our pH, as we have a fairly high number straight from the tap.

They are a fascinating species. Wow 🤩

Love this tank

Please don't get rid of the tannins. It won't be a complete biotope without it. I like how natural looking it is. 👍

Love it 👍

ro/di is always something i've been interested in but not worth the while considering I change a 1 gallon of saltwater a week but i've always wanted a big freshwater community tank

How to fix the lower pH in my tank? Because the checker board cichild need low pH

Nice tank, but so sad to hear you think pencilfish are not much to look at. They're beautiful!

Domage que se genre de vidéo n existe pas en français. Super 😉👌

just picked up two today in my lfs 14.00 each

What do you think of having these with geophagus red head tapojos in a 125 gallon?

Hi John would you put them with white skirt tetras and penguin tetras?

I used 2 pieces of mopanni wood in my tank...one was covered with gel-like slime..took it out and washed it off...I didn't boil wood first because I like the brown H20. I like the tannin water and have small angels and tetras. I will be putting my small discus in this tank when I get the ph the same.

I like them!! BTW- what kind are the apistos? Thanks

do you put aquarium salt in your aquariums

how can i keep mbuna with peacocks

tannin tank? how do you keep the water from getting brown?

Could you please tell me if you had any issues between your filamentosus and apistos ? Any aggression ?

You're audio is inconsistent. Make sure to edit your videos with a decent set of monitors!