All fish / Cichlidae

Hongslo's Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma hongsloi

Also known as hongslo's apisto, hongsloi, apistogramma hongsloi red, red stripe apisto, hongsloi gold, apisto hongsloi, hongslo dwarf cichlid, アピストグラマ・ホングスロイ, 红尾阿卡西短鲷

A small South American dwarf cichlid. Males have a tall, saw-edged dorsal fin, blue lines across the face and red or orange markings on the fins and flanks. Keepers like it for its bright colour, its interesting behaviour and the fact that it fits well in a planted soft-water tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

5 to 6.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

One male with two or three females

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia, plus quality small pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela (Meta, Vichada and Rio Meta drainages)

Breeding

Pairs spawn in caves, and the female guards the eggs and then leads the fry about while the male defends the territory around them. Breeding is quite achievable in soft, acidic water with a low mineral content. Water temperature has a strong effect on the sex ratio of the fry.

Good to know

Males get territorial while breeding, so give them caves and leaf litter and keep them with calm dither fish. The species needs clean, soft, acidic water and copes badly with nitrate build-up. Several closely related forms are traded under this name.