Apistogramma agassizii – Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii, or Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid, is a peaceful species of dwarf cichlid that requires pristine water conditions.

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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

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Additional information

Family

Subfamily

Tribe

Genus

Species

agassizii

Synonym

Apistogramma agassizi, Apistogramma parva, Geophagus agassizii

First described by

Franz Steindachner

Common name

Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid

Character

Social behaviour

Breeding behaviour

Diet

Care

Min. aquarium length in cm

80

Zone

Origin

Country

, ,

ecosystem

Minimum length

5

Length maximum

8

Temperature minimum

23

Temperature maximum

29

pH minimum

4.0

pH maximum

7.0

GH max

8