Etroplus canarensis – Canara Pearlspot Cichlid (~2–3 inches juvenile)

Etroplus canarensis is a rare and elegant Asian cichlid endemic to southwestern India’s freshwater streams. As juveniles, they measure around 2–3 inches but may grow up to 4 inches in captivity and even reach 6–8 inches in museum specimens.

These fish are peaceful and shy, thriving in river-style setups with gentle to moderate flow and excellent water quality. They prefer being kept in groups of six or more to establish natural social hierarchies and reduce stress. Provide an environment with sandy or fine gravel substrate, rocks, driftwood, and hardy plants like Java fern or Anubias. Avoid delicate vegetation, as they may nibble on it. Lighting should be moderate, with shaded areas to mimic their natural habitat.

Water conditions to aim for are a temperature range of 75–82 °F (24–28 °C), pH between 6.0–7.5, and soft to moderately hard water. Strong filtration and regular (30–50%) weekly water changes are crucial, as the species is sensitive to organic buildup.

In the wild, they feed by grazing on aufwuchs and algae; in captivity, they accept high-quality pellets, frozen or live foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and spirulina-based fare, as well as blanched vegetables such as spinach or peas.

Reproductively, they are substrate spawners. Pairs lay eggs on smooth rocks and fiercely guard offspring, with breeding often triggered by mimicking seasonal temperature changes. They become territorial during spawning but generally remain peaceful outside that period. With proper care, they can live 5–8 years or more.