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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.[1][2] The genus is also collectively known as the smiling acaras.[3][4] Like all cichlids, Laetacara species have well-developed brood care.
| Laetacara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Laetacara araguaiae | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Tribe: | Cichlasomatini |
| Genus: | Laetacara S. O. Kullander, 1986 |
| Type species | |
| Acara flavilabris Cope, 1870 | |
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]
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There are currently seven recognized species in this genus:[5]
- Laetacara araguaiae Ottoni & W. J. E. M. Costa, 2009
- Laetacara curviceps (C. G. E. Ahl, 1923) (Flag acara)
- Laetacara dorsigera (Heckel, 1840) (Redbreast acara)
- Laetacara flamannellus Ottoni et al., 2012
- Laetacara flavilabris (Cope, 1870)
- Laetacara fulvipinnis Staeck & I. Schindler, 2007
- Laetacara thayeri (Steindachner, 1875)
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