All fish / Cichlidae

Panda Apistogramma

Apistogramma nijsseni

Also known as panda apisto, panda dwarf cichlid, nijsseni apisto, nijssen's dwarf cichlid, apistogramma nijsenni, アピストグラマ・ニイッセニー, 熊猫阿卡西, 熊猫短鲷

A small dwarf cichlid from Peru. Breeding females turn bright yellow with bold black patches on the face, middle and tail base, which gives them a panda look. Males are larger and bluish grey, and their tail has a red edge. Keepers like the species for its strong colours and interesting parental behaviour in soft, acidic planted tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

4.5 to 6.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

One male with one or more 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

Peru: upper Ucayali basin near Jenaro Herrera

Breeding

It spawns in caves, and the female guards the eggs and fry while showing her yellow and black breeding colours. Breeding is not hard, but you will usually need very soft, acidic water for the eggs to hatch well.

Good to know

It needs very soft, acidic and clean water and is sensitive to nitrate and changes in water conditions. Males turn territorial when spawning, so give them plenty of caves and keep them with calm dither fish.