All fish / Cichlidae

Golden Dwarf Cichlid

Nannacara aureocephalus

Also known as golden head cichlid, gold head dwarf cichlid, golden nannacara, nannacara aureocephala, golden-headed dwarf cichlid, ナンナカラ・アウレオケファルス, 金头娜娜卡拉

A small, stocky cichlid from the Guianas in which males show a golden yellow head over a body with blue green iridescent scales, while females are smaller and plainer. It is kept for its colour, interesting behaviour and manageable size, making it a good choice for a planted soft water tank with dither fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

One pair, or one male with two females in a larger tank

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

French Guiana and Suriname coastal river basins

Breeding

It is a substrate spawner that lays eggs on a flat stone, leaf or inside a cave, with the female guarding eggs and fry and often turning a striking chequered pattern. Breeding is fairly easy in soft, slightly acidic water, but the female may drive the male away, so plenty of cover is needed.

Good to know

Breeding females can be very aggressive towards tankmates and the male, so give the tank caves and sight barriers. Similar to Nannacara anomala, and the two are sometimes confused in the trade.