|
|
These fish have an elongated body with moderately compressed sides. In
males, the caudal fin is highly elongated and comes to a point. In
females, the caudal fin is rounded. Several different color variations
exist mostly depending on if the fish was wild-caught or its geographical
population. Males are much more colorful. The upper back is red, while
the forehead is yellow. Below these areas, the back is green which
parallels a wide, horizontal, black band that extends from the tip of the
snout, back through the eye, and to the tip of the caudal fin. The lower
parts, just below this band, can range in color from gold to green to blue.
The belly is usually yellow. The face is usually marked with green or
gold markings. The dorsal fin is a fire orange-red color that comes to a
sharp point. The other fins are often blue to green. On the caudal fin a
white to blue set of lines come to a point near the end of the fin. A black
stripe extends from the eye, down to the corner of the gill cover. Female
do not have the elongated fins or colors of the male. They are usually
yellow in color with similar markings. The males of this species grows
to 3.5" (9 cm), and females only reach 2.4" (6 cm)
They come from shallow areas of blackwater ponds and slow-moving
water with a substrate of decaying leaf litter in South America. They are
normally found in the tributaries of the Amazon in Bolivia and Brazil.
They prefer the middle and bottom areas of the tank.
The tank should have a capacity of 20 gallons (75 L) for a small group.
A more preferable size would be a 30 gallon (114 L). In either case, the
tank should be arranged with a dark gravel bottom. Use lots of plants to
serve as shelter along with rocky caves, roots, and pieces of wood. The
filter should be efficient as this species requires clean, nitrate-free water.
Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid thrives in peat filtered water. Provide a good
source of oxygen by using air stones.
These fish do well with water parameters at pH 5-7 (6.4), 2-10 dH (6)
and water temperatures of 73-81°F (23-27°C).
Although these fish are peaceful, they are a territorial species that will
not harm plants. A male forms a harem and as a result, should be kept in
a ration of one male to every three or four females. Males defend a large
territory in which several females may guard their own brood.
Tankmates that are recommended for these fish include Corydoras ,
tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, Loricarids.
They thrive when fed crustaceans, insects, insect larvae; flakes; tablets;
and finely chopped meat.
Males are far more colorful and considerably larger than females. The
males fins are also more elongate. For best results to breed these cichlids
the water should have a pH from 6.0-6.5, a water hardness from 5-8 dH,
and a temperature from 79-84°F (26-29°C). Frequent partial water
changes should be made. A single male will defend a large territory
containing several females. He will court each female and mate with
them. The female will lay up to 150 eggs in a previously cleaned cave or
over-turned flower pot. The eggs will be carefully guarded by the
female. They hatch in three to four days. The fry are lead into a shallow
pit and are free-swimming four to six days later. The young can be first
fed with roftiers and liquid foods, and later with Artemia nauplii. The
female attracts the young by her movements. Breeding Agassiz's Dwarf
Cichlid is difficult and the eggs are sensitive to fungus.
Different color variations including red, gold, and blue are available.
