Roeboides descalvadensis (Hunchback, head at the bottom of Descalvado)

The Roeboides Descalvadensis is a freshwater fish belonging to the Cichlidae family. It measures about 15 centimeters long and has an elongated and lateral compressed body, which gives it a disc shape. Its color varies from gray to dark brown on top, while the underside is white or light gray. The descalvadensis roeboides has two dark longitudinal bands which run along its body, one above the eye and the other at the base of the dorsal fin.

The Roeboides Descalvadensis is from rivers in southeast Brazil, where it lives in clear and shallow waters, often near the banks. It feeds mainly on small invertebrates which he finds in muddy funds, but he can also eat algae and plants. The Roeboides Descalvadensis is a lonely and territorial fish, which only gathers for reproduction.

The reproduction of the descalvadensis roeboides takes place in periods of Frai, during which males build nests in the muddy funds to attract females. Once the female has laid her eggs in the nest, the male fertilizes them and takes care of protecting them until they hatch about a week later. The fry stay in the nest with the male for a few days before starting to eat and explore their environment.

Despite its popularity as aquarium species, little information is available on the ecology and biology of the Roeboides Descalvadensis in nature. However, it seems that it is threatened by the pollution and fragmentation of habitats in its natural distribution area. Because of these threats, it is considered vulnerable by the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN).