| Orange chromide | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Subfamily: | Etroplinae |
| Genus: | Etroplus (Georges Cuvier, 1830) |
| Species: | E. maculatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Etroplus maculatus (Bloch, 1795) |
|
The Orange chromide (Etroplus maculatus) is a species of fish endemic to freshwater and brackish streams, lagoons and estuaries in southern India and Sri Lanka.[1][2] The species is popular with fishkeeping hobbyists, and is kept frequently in aquariums.[2][3] The species is part of family Cichlidae and is included in subfamily Etroplinae.[1]
The species co-occurs throughout its range with the green chromide (Etroplus suratensis). Orange chromides prey on the eggs and larvae of E. suratensis and also act as a "cleaner fish" removing parasites from the larger green chromides.[2] The species also feeds on zooplankton and algae.[1]