Red dwarf cichlid - Apistogramma agassizii "Red" - DNZ single specimen

As one of the most popular aquarium fishes of all, the Red Dwarf Cichlid, Apistogramma agassizii, has enjoyed a growing fan community in aquaristics for more than a hundred years. It is also called Red Dwarf Cichlid or Apistogramma parva , but also Geophagus agassizii. The Red Dwarf Cichlid is a great dwarf cichlid originally from the South American Orinoco region, where it inhabits very clean and flowing waters and tributaries. With its size and its peacefulness it is a great co-inhabitant in a beautiful Amazon aquarium, which can be maintained already well by aquarists with some previous experience.

Our Red Dwarf Cichlids are German offspring, which you get in pairs.

Rather without pronounced high back also the red dwarf cichlids show the perch-typical body. In the basic color they are yellow-grey and show from the mouth to over the forehead a honeycomb or spot pattern. Below the eye, the male also has another black and turquoise line. The black lateral line is reinforced and extends from the gill cover into the red rounded caudal fin, and a turquoise sheen extends over the body. The belly is bright. The one-piece red dorsal fin is long and pointedly extended. With a final dimension of 10 centimeters the males become somewhat larger and also more colorful, than the somewhat smaller remaining and paler females.

Red dwarf cichlids are harem forming cave breeders, which also reproduce in the aquarium. For breeding a soft and acidic water is advantageous, especially the introduction of humic substances can be supportive. For spawning they need many caves and hiding places, as they can be offered with flower pots, coconut caves or clay decorations. A lowered pH value of approximately 5 can have a supporting effect. Spawning takes place in caves, preferably on the ceilings. The females guard the spawn, fanning it with oxygen, while the males defend the environment. Above all, attention should be paid to an increased oxygen supply and very good water hygiene. Fry rearing can be done with freshly hatched nauplii.

Red dwarf cichlids can be kept well in pairs, but also in a harem. Your aquarium should therefore be 200 liters and well structured. Roots and wood can be used to create privacy screens for the sometimes territorial animals, but also to mark their territory. Also a fine feathery edge planting serves the dwarf cichlids as a retreat and hiding place. A dark substrate serves their well-being, so that the animals also show better colors. At a total hardness of up to 5 °dGH and a pH value of up to 5.5, as well as temperatures between 24-29 °C they can be maintained well. On a good filtration and permanently low water values, for example also in the form of Alder cones or Sea almond tree productsbut also with liquid Humic substance preparations should be given importance.

Also in the community aquarium Red Dwarf Cichlids cut a good figure and can be combined with other large and fast black water fish such as Golden Striped Pikebut also Red Neons, Corydoras or Loricariids can be socialized. However, since the Red Dwarf Cichlid is an excellent hunter, they should not be socialized with invertebrates.

As carnivores, Red Dwarf Cichlids can be easily fed conventional dry foods such as flake food or granular food for carnivorous ornamental fish, even in the aquarium. Occasionally, its menu can be spiced up with live and frozen food. Here we recommend among other things Daphnia, Artemia and cyclops.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Cichfeed has a grain size of 1.5 mm and is therefore also suitable for larger fish. The NH Cichfeed is a soft granulate for predominantly carnivorous fish. It has the same consistency as small crustaceans and insect larvae that fish naturally eat, and the soft granules protect the fish mouth from micro-injuries that can result from hard feed granules.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use 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 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.