Redline Apistogramma
Apistogramma hongsloi
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres
- Temperature
- 23–29 °C
Species profile
Panda Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma nijsseni
Common names: Panda Dwarf Cichlid, Nijssen's Dwarf Cichlid
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 3.9 cm
Up to 3.9 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs
Think carefully if
- Your tap water is hard and you do not want to treat it
A small dwarf cichlid from Peru, coded A180. Keep alone or in a small group in 54 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A small dwarf cichlid from Peru, coded A180. Females are bright yellow with black patches, like a panda, and it is known as the Panda Dwarf Cichlid.
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 110–160 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 50–75 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 54 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 60 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- 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.
Water Parameters
Needs soft, acidic water. Keep the temperature steady.
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
- Peru, South America
- Natural habitat
- Blackwater, Freshwater Stream, River
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Apistogramma
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Dwarf Cichlids, Fish
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Strawberry Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma eremnopyge
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 3.4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 54 litres
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Three Striped Apistogramma
Apistogramma trifasciata
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 3.8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres
- Temperature
- 20–25 °C
Umbrella Apistogramma
Apistogramma borellii
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 3.9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C