
Checkerboard Cichlid
Dicrossus filamentosus
Family: Cichlidae • Origin: Various
Checkerboard Cichlid (Dicrossus filamentosus) is a peaceful cichlid reaching 3.5 inches. Can be kept singly. Minimum tank: 20 gallons.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
3.5"
Temperature
77-84°F
pH
5-6.5
Lifespan
4 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
peacefuladvancedomnivore
Care Tips
- • Max size: 3.5"
- • Temp: 77-84°F
- • pH: 5-6.5
- • Can be kept alone
- • peaceful temperament
Feeding: Standard omnivore diet for Cichlidae.
Compatibility Notes: Typical peaceful Cichlidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 77–84°F
- pH Range
- 5–6.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical peaceful Cichlidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 4 years
Ideal For
20 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"

Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
German Blue Ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
78-86°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peaceful3"
Ram Balloon
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi balloon
78-86°FpH 5.5-710+ gal
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Gold Ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi gold
78-86°FpH 5.5-710+ gal
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Bolivian Ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
72-79°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peaceful3.5"