Red-Breasted Flag Cichlid Care Guide
Laetacara dorsigera is a peaceful South American dwarf cichlid that shows a bright red breast when displaying, suited to soft-water community tanks.
Overview
Laetacara dorsigera, the red-breasted flag cichlid, is a member of the family Cichlidae from southern South America. The genus name references the smiling appearance created by mouth patterning. Displaying fish show a bright red breast, and it is a peaceful community species for soft-water tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Laetacara
- Scientific name: Laetacara dorsigera
Habitat
The species occurs in the Rio Guapore in Bolivia and western Brazil, plus the Parana drainage of southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and the Rio Uruguay. Wild fish forage among leaf litter and vegetation in slow waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.2
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Seriously Fish records a tolerated range of 20-28 °C and pH 5.0-7.5; a sand substrate with leaf litter and planting reflects the natural habitat.
Diet
Wild populations forage on algae, organic detritus, small insects, worms, crustaceans and zooplankton. In the aquarium it is an omnivore that thrives on small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia, with good-quality dried foods including plant or algal content, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful, mid-water dwarf cichlid suited to community tanks with small tetras, rummy-nose tetras, corydoras and otocinclus. Avoid tiger barbs and aggressive cichlids.
Breeding
A biparental substrate spawner: both parents guard eggs laid on a chosen surface and tend the fry. Breeding difficulty is considered beginner-friendly.