Laetacara Explained

Laetacara is a small genus of cichlids native to freshwater habitats in tropical and subtropical South America, ranging from the upper Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Paraná River basin Argentina.^{[1] [2]} The genus is also collectively known as the smiling acaras.^{[3] [4]} Like all cichlids, Laetacara species have well-developed brood care.

All members of the genus are monogamous, open spawning cichlids.^[3] They are popular in the fishkeeping hobby and are frequently kept in aquariums.^[2] Laetacara are relatively small cichlids, growing to about in length depending on exact species, and are part of the group known to aquarists as dwarf cichlids.^[3]

Species

There are currently seven recognized species in this genus:

• Laetacara araguaiae Ottoni & W. J. E. M. Costa, 2009
• Laetacara curviceps (C. G. E. Ahl, 1923) (Flag acara)
• Laetacara dorsigera (Heckel, 1840) (Redbreast acara)
• Laetacara flamannellus Ottoni et al., 2012
• Laetacara flavilabris (Cope, 1870)
• Laetacara fulvipinnis Staeck & I. Schindler, 2007
• Laetacara thayeri (Steindachner, 1875)

See also

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species

Notes and References

1. Ottoni, F.P. . 2018 . Update of diagnoses, information on distribution, species, and key for identification of Laetacara species (Teleostei, Cichlidae, Cichlasomatini) . Vertebrate Zoology . 68 . 1 . 47–63 . 10.3897/vz.68.e32224 . free .
2. Linke H, Staeck L (1994) American cichlids I: Dwarf Cichlids. A handbook for their identification, care and breeding. Tetra Press. Germany.
3. Book: Loiselle, Paul V. . The Cichlid Aquarium . 1995 . Tetra Press . Germany . 1-56465-146-0.
4. Book: Kullander, S.O.. 1998. A phylogeny and classification of the South American Cichlidae (Teleostei: Perciformes). 461–498 . L.R. Malabarba . R.E. Reis . R.P. Vari . Z.M. Lucena . C.A.S. Lucena. Phylogeny and classification of neotropical fishes. Porto Alegre . EDIPUCRS . 978-85-7430-035-1 .