Apistogramma Agassizii (Apistogramma agassizii) Care Guide

A colorful dwarf cichlid with a spade-shaped tail and vibrant blue, gold, and red coloring in males. Thrives in soft, acidic blackwater setups with plenty of caves and leaf litter.

Overview

Apistogramma agassizii is a species in the family Cichlidae. A colorful dwarf cichlid with a spade-shaped tail and vibrant blue, gold, and red coloring in males. Thrives in soft, acidic blackwater setups with plenty of caves and leaf litter. Males are territorial but peaceful towards dissimilar species.

Taxonomy

Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Apistogramma
Scientific name: Apistogramma agassizii
Other names: Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid
Origin: South America

Habitat

Widely distributed across the lowland Amazon basin in Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, including the lower Solimões, Madeira and Tapajós drainages. Inhabits forest streams and floodplain pools, often in soft, slightly acidic water with leaf litter and submerged wood. Numerous geographic colour forms are circulated under collection-locality names.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 80 L
Temperature: 24-28 °C
pH: 5-7
GH: 1-8 °dGH
Water flow: low
Adult size: 5-7 cm
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Difficulty: intermediate

Diet

Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: semi-aggressive
Swimming level: bottom
Compatible tank mates: Corydoras, Cardinal Tetra, Otocinclus, Harlequin Rasbora
Avoid with: Other Dwarf Cichlids, Large Cichlids, Aggressive Fish

Breeding

Breeding strategy: cave-spawner
Breeding difficulty: intermediate