Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid

Care at a glance

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid from the Amazon is recognisable by the pointed, spade-shaped tail of the male, which can colour up blue, red or gold. The trade offers numerous bred colour lines alongside wild forms from different river systems.

It is a cave brooder: the female picks a hollow, turns bright yellow there and defends the fry fiercely, including against the male. Keep it as a harem of one male and several females, and give each female her own corner with a hiding place.

Good to know

• Territorial

Related species

• Umbrella dwarf cichlidApistogramma borellii
• Checkerboard cichlidDicrossus filamentosus
• African butterfly cichlidAnomalochromis thomasi
• Keyhole cichlidCleithracara maronii
• Geophagus (other eartheaters)Geophagus sp.
• Julie cichlidJulidochromis ornatus