Breeding Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma Agassizii) In The Aquarium

Location

This freshwater fish lives in slow-flowing reservoirs in South America.

Body description

Colour of the fish is variable. It usually is orange-yellow or gray-yellow. There is a black, horizontal stripe from the mouth to the caudal fin. Male has quite high dorsal fin and his caudal fin looks like a flame. Female’s caudal fin is slightly rounded. She has darker and more visible side stripe compared to male. During the spawning season male is more colourful than female. Then colour of the female usually is yellow.

Temperament and behaviour

This is peaceful species. It may protect its territory during the spawning season.

Aquarium decoration

The aquarium should include a lot of hiding-places and plants. The water should be clean and without chemicals as this fish is very sensitive to chemicals.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. Female lays up to 200 eggs in the cave and takes care for the eggs and fry. Male protects the territory. The eggs hatch after 4 days but it depends on the water temperature. The fry starts to swim and feed 6 days later.