Nannacara aureocephalus Breeding Guide

Breeding the golden-headed acara Nannacara aureocephalus: a cave-spawning dwarf cichlid with female-dominated brood care in soft, acidic water.

Overview

Nannacara aureocephalus is a dwarf cichlid from French Guiana, specifically the Approuague and Maroni river basins (AquaInfo). It is reported to spawn in burrows, depositing eggs on the ceiling of a small cave (AquaInfo). While the KB record labels the species a substrate spawner, the consulted source describes cave spawning, and this guide follows the source.

Sexing

Males reach approximately 12 cm and develop intense golden-yellow colour on the head, cheek, area behind the eye, preoperculum and operculum, while females reach around 6 cm and have a sturdier, less laterally compressed build (AquaInfo).

Conditioning

The KB record classifies N. aureocephalus as an omnivore fed twice daily. A varied diet supports breeding condition; no special species-specific conditioning protocol is documented in the source.

Breeding Setup

Provide enclosed cave-like spawning sites. Breeding water parameters are 23-30 °C, pH 5.0-6.0 and GH 1-8 °dH (AquaInfo). The KB record lists a minimum tank volume of 100 L.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The female prefers to spawn in a burrow, laying eggs on the ceiling of a small cave; clutch size is 80 to 150 eggs (AquaInfo). The female is very territorial and guards the spawning site.

Egg & Fry Care

Brood care is female-dominated; the female guards both eggs and young (AquaInfo). Eggs hatch within 3 to 5 days depending on temperature, and fry become free-swimming about 7 to 10 days after hatching (AquaInfo). Initial fry food is infusoria or finely ground dry food, progressing to Artemia nauplii and finely ground cyclops as they grow (AquaInfo).

Common Challenges

The chief challenge is meeting the soft, acidic water requirement (pH 5.0-6.0) and managing the territorial brooding female. The KB record rates breeding difficulty as intermediate.