Apistogramma agassizii – Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma agassizii, or Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid, can reach a length of about 8 centimeters. This fish has a golden brown back; a dark stripe runs from its head to its tail. It has blue-green stripes on its head, and a diagonal stripe runs through its eye. The female is light brown and smaller. In the wild, there are several geographical variants of this fish.
In the aquarium trade, you can find different varieties under different names. These often refer to the color of the fish to be purchased. Examples are Apistogramma agassizii Double Red, Triple Red, Fire Red, Red/Gold, and Super Red. Many of these varieties are bred for a specific color.
Name
The Apistogramma agassizii is named after the Swiss professor JLR Agassiz, who taught at Harvard and, in his later years, did a lot of research on different fish species.
Origin
Peru, Brazil, Amazon region.
The Aquarium
Apistogramma agassizii – Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid requires an aquarium of at least 80 centimeters. Decorate the tank dark with broad-leaved plants and floating plants, providing sufficient hiding places with, for example, driftwood roots or half coconuts. Filter the water over peat. They are quite sensitive to nitrite, nitrate, and ammonium, so regular water changes are recommended; also, check the water values regularly.
Water parameters
Temperature: 22-29 degrees Celsius.
PH: 4-7
GH: 0-8
In nature, fish have to deal with fluctuating temperatures. Keeping fish at the minimum or maximum temperature for a long time is not always desirable and can shorten their average lifespan.
Diet
Apistogramma are naturally detritivorous, a layer of detritus on the bottom from which they filter their food is ideal. You can give them small live food and frozen food, they love Daphnia and Cyclops. In addition, they also eat regular dry food.
Character
The Apistogramma agassizii is a peaceful fish, but when they have a nest with young, it is very fiercely protected. Each male has his territory, within which several females can live, and each female has her place within the male’s territory.
You can keep them in a pair, but preferably in a harem. If the aquarium is big enough (1.50m), you can keep a group; here, the aggression is better distributed, and you see more natural behavior. Pay attention to always take at least three males in a group. It is a nice but demanding fish that needs good care regarding the aquarium water. They swim in the lower layers of water.
Breeding Apistogramma agassizii – Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid
Breeding Apistogramma agassizii is easy; it is a cave spawner, so make stone holes or use half coconuts. For wild-caught specimens, soft water is needed to get them to breed. The eggs are laid at the bottom of the hole. The females are very territorial and have brood care. If there are more females, ensure they can’t see each other’s nest; otherwise, a fight will arise.
Video
Author
Coby – Jelle Touwen – J. de Lange
Copyright images
Bart Laurens
F. Ingemann Hansen – Akvariefotografen.com