Laetacara dorsigera (Heckel, 1840)
Redbreast acara
photo by DATZ

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Cichlasomatinae
Max. size:  6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 4 - 7.5; dH range: 1 - 20
Distribution:  South America: Amazon River basin, in the Guaporé River drainage; Paraná River basin, in the Paraguay River drainage in Brazil and Paraguay, middle Paraná River drainage in Argentina.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 14-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9; Vertebrae: 24-24. Distinguished from all other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: scales on the longitudinal series 21-22; a dark spot on dorsal fin above trunk bar 5, and usually above trunk bar 4; head depth 90.2-96.3 % mm HL; cycloid scales on head sides; dorsal-fin rays 9-10; anal-fin rays 8-9; total vertebrae 24; scales on the upper lateral line 14-15; scales on the lower lateral line 6-8; absence of a dark dot at the edge of each scale on the midlateral portion of the flank; and a wide ectopterygoid (Ref. 80972).
Biology:  Found in rivers (Ref. 12965). Known to leap from the water to land on nearby buoyant vegetation to escape predators, but this may in turn, make them vulnerable to aerial hunters (Ref. 40103). Maximum length 8 cm TL (Ref. 1672).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 November 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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