All fish / Cichlidae

Topaz Cichlid

Amatitlania myrnae

Also known as topaz cichlid, myrnae cichlid, cryptoheros myrnae, archocentrus myrnae, myrna's cichlid

A small Central American cichlid with a golden-brown to olive body crossed by dark bars. Its eye and throat show a yellowish topaz sheen, and a dark blotch sits at the centre of the body. Keepers like it for its manageable size, bold personality and easy pair forming.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Single pair

Diet

Omnivore: quality cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, and vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Atlantic slope of Costa Rica and Panama

Breeding

It spawns on cave walls or on stones, and both parents guard the eggs and the free-swimming fry. Breeding is easy in captivity once a pair has formed.

Good to know

Pairs turn very territorial when they are breeding, so give them plenty of rockwork and avoid small, timid tankmates. The species is easily confused with convict cichlids and related Amatitlania species.