Golden dwarf cichlid (nannacara)

Care at a glance

The golden dwarf cichlid is a modest dwarf cichlid from Guyana that is easily overlooked in the shop: a grey-green fish that only at home, in calm water over a dark substrate, develops a metallic green sheen across the whole body. It is one of the easiest cichlids to start with.

A pair does fine in a sixty-litre tank with plants, some wood and a flat stone to spawn on. The female turns into a yellow-and-black checkerboard while brooding and chases the male away too, so give him room to escape. Otherwise it is peaceful and eats anything, from flakes to frozen food.

Good to know

• Territorial

Related species

• Macmasteri dwarf cichlidApistogramma macmasteri
• Midas cichlid (red devil)Amphilophus citrinellus
• Lemon cichlid (leleupi)Neolamprologus leleupi
• Spotted blue-eyePseudomugil gertrudae
• Amazon pufferColomesus asellus
• Tropheus (duboisi, moorii)Tropheus sp.