Bolivian Ram Cichlid
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 6–9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 80 litres
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
Species profile
Black Stripe Dwarf Cichlid
Taeniacara candidi
Common names: Black Stripe Dwarf Cichlid, Candidi Dwarf Cichlid
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 7 cm
Typical adult length 4–7 cm.
Up to 7 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- Mature planted aquarium setups
- Specialist shrimp keepers
- Peaceful nano aquariums
Think carefully if
- The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
- The tank is newly cycled
- Water conditions change frequently
A delicate Rio Negro blackwater dwarf cichlid for specialists who can provide extremely soft acidic water and a quiet cave-rich aquarium.
Appearance and Identification
A slender dwarf cichlid with a strong black lateral stripe. Males develop extended fins and blue, red, and yellow iridescence; females become yellow during brood care.
Its very slender shape, continuous black stripe, and fin pattern distinguish it from Apistogramma. Commercial stock should not be selected by colour alone.
Males are larger, more colourful, and longer-finned. Females are smaller and show yellow-and-black breeding colour.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 120–180 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 50–100 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 60 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 60 cm
- Minimum group size
- 2
- Recommended group size
- 2
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Low
Use a mature, dim aquarium with fine sand, heavy leaf litter, wood, roots, floating cover, and several narrow caves. A compatible pair is safest.
Behaviour and Tankmates
A shy but territorial cave-oriented dwarf cichlid that remains close to cover.
Best kept as one compatible pair in a species-focused aquarium.
The female becomes highly defensive around eggs and fry, while the male may harass an unreceptive female.
A species-only breeding tank is preferred. Tiny peaceful upper-water dithers may be used in a larger display, but shrimp and fry-sized fish are prey.
Water Parameters
This is a true low-conductivity blackwater specialist. Breeding generally requires extremely soft, acidic water.
Parameter caveat
Very acidic water is poorly buffered. Prepare low-mineral water first, monitor nitrogen waste closely, and avoid sudden maintenance changes.
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Manual aquarium siphon and gravel cleaner
A manual siphon for routine aquarium water changes and accessible waste removal. The seller lists a hose approximately 1.6 m long.
Control the flow and keep the intake clear of fish and delicate planting. Clean the areas appropriate for your substrate and layout rather than disturbing the entire planted bed.
Daraz NepalCheck availability on Daraz
Feeding
- Diet types
- Carnivore, Insectivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Live baby brine shrimpUseful for conditioning adults and feeding juveniles; rinse before use.
- Daphnia, cyclops, or mosquito larvaeSmall moving prey encourages natural feeding behaviour.
- Frozen brine shrimp or mysisOffer thawed portions sized for the fish.
- High-quality cichlid micro-pelletUse as part of a varied diet after the fish accepts prepared food.
A micropredator specialising in tiny crustaceans, insect larvae, worms, and similar foods.
Wild fish may reject dry foods. Feed small live or frozen items and avoid fouling the low-buffer blackwater aquarium.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Cave Spawner, Egg Layer
- Breeding difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding temperature
- 28 °C
- Breeding pH
- 4.8
- Brood or egg count
- Usually several dozen eggs.
- Incubation
- 3 days
- Parental care
- Maternal care
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpPrimary food for free-swimming fry; feed small rinsed portions several times daily.
- MicrowormsUseful supplementary food for small fry near the substrate.
- Fine powdered fry foodUse sparingly and remove uneaten material.
A cave spawner with maternal brood care. The female attaches eggs inside a shelter and guards eggs, larvae, and free-swimming fry.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Amazon Basin, Brazil, South America
- Natural habitat
- Blackwater, Freshwater Stream
- Aquarium contexts
- Breeding Aquarium, Freshwater Aquarium, Species-Only Aquarium
- Audience level
- Specialist
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Taeniacara
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Fish, South American Cichlids
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Butterfly Peacock Bass
Cichla ocellaris
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 45–75 cm
- Minimum tank
- 1800 litres
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Checkerboard Cichlid
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- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 5–9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 80 litres
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Chessboard Cichlid
Dicrossus maculatus
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 5–10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 100 litres
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C