All fish / Cichlidae

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii

Also known as agassizi dwarf cichlid, agassizii apisto, apistogramma agassizi, fire red agassizii, double red agassizii, gold agassizii, agassiz cichlid, tefe agassizii, アピストグラマ・アガシジィ, アガシジィ, apistogramma agassizii, 阿卡西短鲷

A slim dwarf cichlid whose males have a tall dorsal fin, a spade-shaped tail often edged in red, and a dark stripe along a yellowish to bluish body. Many colour strains such as Fire Red and Double Red are bred, and keepers value its bold character and parental behaviour in planted soft water tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

One male with two to four females

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and quality small pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon basin in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia

Breeding

A harem cave spawner: the female lays eggs on the roof of a cave or under a leaf and guards the eggs and fry while the male defends the territory. Spawning is fairly easy in soft, acidic water, though warmer temperatures tend to skew broods towards males.

Good to know

Males become territorial when breeding, so give plenty of caves and cover and avoid other bottom-dwelling cichlids in small tanks. It is sensitive to nitrate and poor water quality, so keep up regular water changes.