Nannacara anomala Breeding Guide

Breeding the golden dwarf cichlid Nannacara anomala: an easy, female-led brood carer in which the brooding female shows a dramatic checkerboard pattern.

Overview

Nannacara anomala is a hardy dwarf cichlid native to coastal lowlands from the Aruka River in Guyana to the Maroni River in Suriname, where it inhabits flooded savannas near the coast (Wikipedia). It is among the easier dwarf cichlids to breed: in merely adequate water conditions a single male and female will very likely spawn (Seriously Fish). The KB record classifies its breeding difficulty as beginner.

Sexing

The species is strongly dimorphic. The male is much larger, with pale blues and reds and a greenish tinge along the body under acidic conditions, while the smaller female tends to be yellow with a black lateral line along the flank (Seriously Fish; Wikipedia). Young males initially resemble females and are distinguished mainly by an extension at the rear of the dorsal fin (Wikipedia).

Conditioning

The KB record classifies N. anomala as an omnivore fed twice daily. No special species-specific conditioning is required, consistent with its reputation for breeding readily in adequate conditions (Seriously Fish).

Breeding Setup

Females require sub-territories of at least 40 by 40 cm on the substrate; larger tanks housing several females with a single male are recommended (Seriously Fish). Breeding water parameters are 22-25 °C, pH 6-7.5 and a hardness of 3-8 °dH (Seriously Fish). The KB record lists a minimum tank volume of 80 L.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

When in breeding mood the female presents a contrasting checkerboard-like pattern (Seriously Fish). The female becomes the dominant brood carer and will breed readily once a sub-territory and a willing male are present.

Egg & Fry Care

Brood care is female-led: the mother uses fascinating body language to communicate with her fry while caring for them and can be very aggressive in protecting them (Seriously Fish; Wikipedia).

Common Challenges

The chief challenge is managing the brooding female's strong aggression toward tank mates, including the male; providing defined sub-territories of at least 40 by 40 cm helps reduce conflict (Seriously Fish).