Care
Named in honour of Sven Kullander, this stunning cichlid is from the middle stretches of the Rio Tocantins drainage. As with most eartheaters, the typical habitat has large expanses of sand and scattered rocks, leaf litter, and submerged tree roots.
The aquarium should be biologically mature and spacious, with a large expanse of soft sand substrate as these fish like to sift through the substrate in their ongoing search for food items. Provide plenty of hiding places amongst tangles of driftwood, rocky caves, and robust planting cultivated on the wood (such as Anubias sp. or Java Fern). Vegetation planted into the substrate is likely to be dug up, so is best avoided. Filtration should be efficient with areas of moderate water movement and some calmer resting spots out of the current. Frequent partial water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum, particularly important as this species is sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. Unless breeding, eartheaters are generally peaceful, and in the wild are found in loose aggregations. In the aquarium, this species is best maintained in groups of 6 or more so that a natural hierarchy can form. This will not only meet their social needs but it will help spread any minor aggression amongst the shoal, so that no one fish bears the continual brunt of any sporadic antagonistic behaviour. Tankmates can include deep-bodied tetras, Angelfish and most species too large to be swallowed whole as these are generally peaceful cichlids and aggressive companions should be avoided. Although peaceful, they can be problematic if combined with catfish as they are likely to outcompete slow-feeding bottom dwellers.
Feeding
Omnivorous. Requires small foods compared to its adult size. Try to keep it varied with good quality flakes, small sinking pellets, and a mixture of frozen foods.
Breeding
This species has been bred in the home aquarium, although details are hard to find. When ready to spawn, there will be a typical courtship display consisting of circling, fin-flashing, lateral displays, and mouth gaping. If the female is receptive, she will swim over the chosen pre-cleaned spawning site in a series of dry runs, after which she will begin depositing eggs in small batches. The male immediately follows behind her and fertilises them, and this is repeated until the female is spent of eggs. 48-72 hours later, the eggs will hatch (the parents may assist with this) and the wrigglers are taken up into the mouths of the female and brooded for a further 8-10 days until they are free-swimming, when the fry are guarded by both parents. At this point they can be offered Artemia nauplii and powdered flake food.
