Biology

Inhabits shallow water at the edges of warm, spring-fed pools and outflow swamps. It has a broad temperature tolerance (21.6°-43°C), but usually does not venture into water above 36°C. Diurnally active, omnivorous species which feeds on filamentous algae. Also cannibalistic, with adults feeding on young fish. Breeding biology is probably similar to C. eremius, a species formerly considered to be conspecific (Ref. 44894).