Agassizi’s Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma Cf. Agassizii) – Tank-Bred!

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This very colorful species has a great personality and is considered by some to be THE dwarf cichlid!

The Agassizi’s Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma cf. agassizii) is a fascinating species that is very beloved in the fresehwater aquarium hobby. Adult males are incredibly colorful and can display red, yellow, blue, orange, and purple coloration…sometimes all at once! As with most dwarf cichlids, adult females are less colorful by comparison, but still have a good amount of coloration (partiularly yellow and black with some red/orange highlights) and have an attractive appearance with plenty of personality.

The Agassizi’s Dwarf Cichlid will thrive in an aquarium with a sandy substrate and plenty of refuge such as clay pots, driftwood, and rock formations. It is an excellent candidate for the planted aquarium, but it also needs a fair amount of open space. This cichlid is generally compatible with other peaceful fish as long as it has plenty of room. Territoriality is typically at its peak during spawning. Dwarf shrimp and other small, delicate invertebrates should not be kept with the Agassizi’s Dwarf Cichlid, but more durable, larger shrimp and snails could possibly make good tankmates in a large enough aquarium. If spawning is desired, tankmates of other species should be kept to a minimum or avoided altogether.

Feeding is simple for the unfussy Agassizi’s Dwarf Cichlid. High-quality dry, frozen, and live meaty foods will all be readily accepted. Quality and variety are the keys to a diet that will ensure that this fish maintains optimal health and coloration.

We are currently offering 1-inch juvenile specimens of this fish at a much lower price than the typical cost of subadult and adult specimens. Juveniles of this size usually cannot be reliably sexed, so we recommend buying a group and allowing them to pair off natually as they grow and mature.

 

What We Like About This Fish:

• Beautiful coloration 
• Hardy with plenty of personality
• Possible to breed in the aquarium
• Compatible with many other species in a spacious tank

 

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:

• Temperature:  72° – 84° F (22° – 29° C)
• pH:  5.0- 7.0 for tank-raised specimens
• KH:  2 – 15 KH
• Minimum tank size:  20 gallons for a pair, but a larger tank is required for a group

 

CARE GUIDELINES:

• Diet:  Carnivorous. A variety of high-quality dry, frozen, and live meaty foods is necessary for optimal health and coloration.
• Social behavior:  Congregates loosely in groups. Males can be territorial when attempting to spawn and females are very protective of their eggs during spawning.
• Origin:  Tank-bred, but indigenous to South America
• Average adult size:  3 inches (7.5 cm) for males, 2 inches (5 cm) for females
• Average purchase size:  1 – 1.5 inches (2.5 – 3.8 cm)