Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid

COMMON NAME: Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Apistogramm agassizi

DESIGNATION: Tropical, but will tolerate theupper end of the coldwater range.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Amazon basin

SIZE: Around 7 cm (2.8 in).

WATER PREFERENCES: Soft, acid water.Temperature: 17-19°C (62.5-66°F) duringwinter; 23-26°C (73.5-79°F) in summer.

DIET: All foods, particularly livefoods

BREEDING: Eggs are normally laid in cavitiesand protected by the female

DESCRIPTION: These smallCichlids are unusual in that females becomedominant after spawning. See alsoPelvicachromis pulcher (although here bothparents guard the brood, unlike inApistogramma).

The Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid Informaton

• The narural habitat of the fish consists of the tributaries of the Amazon and the Bolivia.
• The fish is peaceful in nature. The male fish forms a harem and protects female fish in a single territory. Generally it is seen that there are three to four female fish attached to every one male. The fish though peaceful but is territorial in nature. The fish does not harm the marine plants. Inside each territory the female fish look after their own brood.
• The fish mainly live on live food, crustacean, insects, larvae, flake or tablets and even finely chopped meat.
• The breeding of the fish is quite easy.
• In case you are up to trying your hand in breeding the fish in your aquarium you must arrange for an aquarium that would hold 50 liters per couple.
• In case you want to introduce one male and along with him three to four females you are required to have a tank that would hold at least 100 liters of water.
• It would be ideal for the fish to grow in a tank that has a bottom filled up with dark gravel stones. You may decorate the aquarium with lots of plants that would acts has shelters. You may also introduce rocky caves, wood pieces, and roots. You must also use a filter inside the aquariums as for survival the fish requires nitrate free water. The fish breed stays well in well oxygenated water and peat filtered water.
• The temperature of the water should be 25 to 26 degree Celsius.
• The ph level of the water should be ideally 5 to 6