Laetacara

Laetacara
Laetacara araguaiae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Tribe: Cichlasomatini
Genus: Laetacara
S. O. Kullander, 1986
Type species
Acara flavilabris
Cope, 1870

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, including the Amazon Basin from Peru to the Atlantic coast of Brazil and north through the Amapá State to just beyond the border with French Guiana. [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 4–12 cm (1.6–4.7 in) in length depending on exact species,[5] and are part of the group known to aquarists as dwarf cichlids.[3]

Species

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There are currently seven recognized species in this genus:[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ottoni, F.P. (2018). "Update of diagnoses, information on distribution, species, and key for identification of Laetacara species (Teleostei, Cichlidae, Cichlasomatini)" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 68 (1): 47–63. doi:10.3897/vz.68.e32224.
  2. ^ a b Linke H, Staeck L (1994) American cichlids I: Dwarf Cichlids. A handbook for their identification, care and breeding. Tetra Press. Germany. ISBN 1-56465-168-1
  3. ^ a b c Loiselle, Paul V. (1995). The Cichlid Aquarium. Germany: Tetra Press. ISBN 1-56465-146-0.
  4. ^ Kullander, S.O. (1998). "A phylogeny and classification of the South American Cichlidae (Teleostei: Perciformes)". In L.R. Malabarba; R.E. Reis; R.P. Vari; Z.M. Lucena; C.A.S. Lucena (eds.). Phylogeny and classification of neotropical fishes. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 461–498. ISBN 978-85-7430-035-1.
  5. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Laetacara". FishBase. July 2019 version.