2 x red-lined dwarf cichlid - Apistogramma hongsloi - DNZ pair

With its impressive colors, the red-lined dwarf cichlid, Apistogramma hongsloi, is a great South American from the Orinoco Delta. There it inhabits among other things very clear and clean, oxygen-rich savannah streams and the tributaries leading into the Rio Meta. As a great by-fish in the community aquarium it comes wonderfully to the validity and can be maintained without problems by advanced beginners. Especially blackwater aquariums rich in humic substances are ideal for this species!

Our redcoat dwarf cichlids are German offspring, which you can get in pairs.

The Apistogramma hongsloi shows the typical body structure for cichlids, but with no very pronounced high back. In the basic color the animals are gray, over the gill cover a yellow pronounced spot extends, the scales show a light net pattern and are bordered. Scattered over the body are red separated scales, mainly in the ventral region. A lateral line is weakly pronounced. The iris is red, also in the face there are two turquoise short lines below the eye, which are red set off, also the cheeks show red spots. The one-piece dorsal fin is long and pointedly extended, as is the anal fin. Both are transparent turquoise with red shading near the body. The round caudal fin is transparent golden, spotted red at the base to the caudal peduncle. The males differ from the females mainly by a very intense mating color and a final size of about 7 cm, the females, on the other hand, remain somewhat smaller at about 4.5 cm and generally have a more yellow ground color that intensifies during the breeding season.

These pretty animals are cave breeders that require very soft and acidic water, as well as plenty of hiding places and a good live animal diet to breed. It is recommended to put the pairs into a very well structured rearing aquarium of 100 liters or more. In this aquarium many caves and hiding places in the form of flower pots, coconuts and clay decorations should be offered. The water values are very acidic with a maximum pH of 5. The parents usually breed together, with the male defending the territory and the female taking care of the fry. Care should be taken to ensure good water hygiene and a very good oxygen supply. The rearing of the young fish is demanding, but can be done with a little practice.

The Redlined Dwarf Cichlid can be kept in a harem in large community aqu ariums without any problems, only in smaller aquariums it is recommended to keep them in pairs, because the males tend to territorial disputes. In their habitat the animals find partly exorbitantly low pH-values between 4-5, in the aquarium they tolerate up to 5,5 with a total hardness (GH) up to 5 °dGH and a cozy 24-29 °C.

As substrate a dark sand or very fine gravel is suitable as well as a good infrastructure in the form of roots and stone structures, which offer caves and hiding places, but also represent territory markers and visual protection. Also a border planting should not be missing. In order to be able to offer them permanently low water values, we recommend the Peat filtration and the use of sea almond tree and alder cone products, which also have an antibacterial effect. Good filtration and a high oxygen supply should be ensured.

In the community aquarium Red Stripe Dwarf Cichlids can be wellsocialized also with other large and nimble blackwater fish, such as the Golden Stripe P ikelet but also Red Neon Aquarium Fish, Corydoras and Loricariids . On the other hand, invertebrates are not suitable as a good hunter, which likes to feed on small crustaceans.

This carnivore can be fed wonderfully in the aquarium with commercial dry food or flake food for carnivorous fish. It will also not spurn live food or frozen food such as artemia and cyclops, but also enchytraea, quite the opposite!

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic Cichfeed is a great staple food for all carnivorous cichlids in the aquarium, perfectly meeting their requirements for food composition. The tasty pearls are also very well eaten by larger cichlids. Thanks to their soft texture, NatureHolic Cichfeed food pearls are gentle on the mouth and can be eaten very well by the fish.

Our plant recommendation: Use for the planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.