Species profile

Umbrella Apistogramma

Apistogramma borellii

Common names: Umbrella Apistogramma, Borelli's Dwarf Cichlid, Yellow Dwarf Cichlid, Umbrella Cichlid

Recognized speciesCichlids

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Adult size

Up to 3.9 cm

Countries of origin

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
A small, well-kept nano tank

Think carefully if

You cannot keep up with regular water changes

A small, yellow-and-blue dwarf cichlid from southern South America, also called the Umbrella or Yellow Dwarf Cichlid. Keep alone or in a small group in 40 litres or more.

Appearance and Identification

A small, yellow-and-blue dwarf cichlid from southern South America, also called the Umbrella or Yellow Dwarf Cichlid. It tolerates cooler, harder water than most, and it is peaceful.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Males are larger and more colourful, with longer fins. Females turn bright yellow when guarding young in many species.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter: About 80–120 litres an hour
Suggested heater: About 50–75 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume: 40 litres
Minimum tank length: 45 cm
Minimum group size: 2
Recommended group size: 2
Activity level: Moderate
Flow preference: Low
Planting preference: Heavily planted
Hiding places: Yes
Lid recommended: Yes
Jumping risk: Moderate

Use leaf litter, wood and small caves in a mature, planted tank, with gentle filtration. Each female needs a cave of her own.

Behaviour and Tankmates

A small, busy cichlid that stays near the bottom and shows real personality, especially when guarding young.

Often kept as a pair, or as one male with two or more females in a larger tank.

Territorial near the bottom, particularly females with young.

Best with small, peaceful fish that stay higher in the water, such as small tetras and pencilfish. Avoid other bottom-dwelling cichlids in smaller tanks. It may eat baby shrimp.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature: 20–26 °C
pH: 5–8
GH: 1–15
Stability importance: Important

Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.

Parameter caveat

Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.

Feeding

Diet types: Carnivore, Insectivore
Feeding frequency: Daily
Preferred foods: Small flake or micro pelletsA good staple. Feed small amounts that are eaten within a couple of minutes.
Frozen or live daphnia and brine shrimpOffer a few times a week for colour and condition.
Small bloodwormA rich treat rather than a daily food.

Prefers small live and frozen foods, and many also accept small pellets.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

Breeding

Breeding type: Cave Spawner
Breeding difficulty: Moderate
Parental care: Variable
Baby foods: Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.

Spawns inside a cave, and one parent guards the eggs and young. Provide a suitable cave for each pair.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, South America, Uruguay
Natural habitat: River
Aquarium contexts: Nano Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
Audience level: Intermediate

Classification

Profile type: Recognized species
Genus: Apistogramma
Family: Cichlidae
Species group: Cichlids, Dwarf Cichlids, Fish

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Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

Think carefully if

Appearance and Identification

Tank Requirements

Behaviour and Tankmates

Water Parameters

Feeding

Breeding

Habitat and Origin

Classification

Have you kept this species?

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Guides for keeping this fish

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