Black-throated dwarf cichlid - Apistogramma viejita - DNZ - single specimen

The colorful black-throated dwarf cichlid, scientifically also called Apisotgramma viejta, is one of the South American cichlids. In its habitat it is mainly found in waters of the Rio Meta in Colombia. Visually it is often confused with the Apistogramma macmasteri, but it remains to be clarified whether it is the same fish with different habitats. In the aquarium the Black-throated Dwarf Cichlid cuts a fine figure in any case and is also very easy to maintain and breed.

Our Apisotgramma viejita are available as pairs, they are German offspring.

Black-throated dwarf cichlids have the typical perch body with flat sides, but no very pronounced high back. On a light base color are red scales that extend from the head down the back. There are turquoise markings on the face. The males are more brightly colored than the more yellowish females, especially at spawning time, and also grow much larger at up to 7 cm. The females reach in about 4.5 cm and change color a little more intensively only at courtship time. Their lateral line is rather weakly pronounced, the belly is lighter. The back and anal fin are long and pointed. They prefer to be kept in pairs.

Breeding is possible in the aquarium. For this purpose, the animals should be offered enough caves such as coconuts or stone structures secured against falling over. Especially a dark sandy bottom promotes spawning readiness and well-being. The caring female takes over the brood care, whereas the male takes over the territory defense. The water should be very clean during breeding and also have an increased oxygen supply. Low pH-values around 5 have proven themselves here. The young can be fed with slipper animals, nauplii and infusoria, later they can also be raised with Artemia.

The Apistogramma viejita prefers very acidic water in the aquarium with a pH between 5-6,5 and a total hardness of 0-5 °dGH. Humic preparations, but also alder cones or sea almond bark, which also support the mucosa, are recommended, these also have a prophylactic antibacterial effect. His home should have at least an edge length of 100 cm and have a good infrastructure, which is also precinct marker and visual protection. With decorations like clay pots, caves, stones and roots like we have in our store this can be realized well. At a temperature between 24 and 30 ° C he feels pudelwohl.

The Black-throated Dwarf Cichlid can also be easily socialized with other South Americans. Especially loricariids, but also armored catfish, the red neon or striped pikelets are suitable. As an active hunter invertebrates are rather not suitable, since it possibly likes to eat them, dwarf and crayfish could pinch the fins of the dwarf perch, which stays rather at the bottom to in the middle basin area, which can lead to injuries which heal with difficulty.

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 or frozen foods 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 dietary requirements. 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 planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish 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.

Picture: Enrico Richter - exclusively for Garnelio