Page 146 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

144 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Dicrossus filamentosus Nannacara anomala Apistogramma borellii
Chessboard Cichlid Golden Dwarf Cichlid Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid

ORIGINS South America, in the Rio Orinoco basin in ORIGINS Widely distributed throughout northern parts ORIGINS South America, found in parts of the Mato
Colombia and the Rio Negro basin in Brazil. of South America. Grosso, Brazil, and the Pantanal, Paraguay.
1
SIZE 3 ⁄2 in (9 cm). SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm).
DIET Live foods and prepared foods. DIET Prepared foods and small live foods. DIET Prepared foods and small live foods
WATER Temperature 73–77°F (23–25°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
TEMPERAMENT Relatively peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. TEMPERAMENT Males are territorial.
Sexing is straightforward with this species: females
are plain yellow and smaller in size than the males, Male
which are more colorful, with bluish markings
on their flanks. Darker blotched markings may
appear on the sides of the female’s body just prior
to spawning. A well-planted aquarium is required,
with suitable retreats for breeding. This is a cave-
breeding cichlid; the female guards the eggs and
then watches over her offspring. Young fish are
less colorful than adults. Darker area along
center of body
Alternating light and dark blotches along the side Male As with other Apistogramma dwarf cichlids, the
of the body help to identify this shy cichlid, as does Umbrella shows clear sexual dimorphism, with
the red line below the eye. The male, shown above, the male generally larger and more colorful than
has more colorful fins and a more deeply forked the female. This is a typical member of the group,
caudal fin than the female. A single male should be displaying variable coloration. Umbrellas are
housed with several females in a well-planted tank; rather nervous fish and settle better if housed
rockwork will provide the fish with egg-laying with smaller, nonaggressive shoaling fish, such as
sites. The female watches over her brood at first. tetras, which require similar water conditions.

Apistogramma macmasteri Apistogramma agassizii
Red-Tailed Dwarf Cichlid The female Red-Tailed Dwarf, pictured here, Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid
lacks the red markings seen on the male’s caudal
ORIGINS South America, occurring in the Rio Meta, fin. Keep these fish in a small group made up of a ORIGINS South America, occurring in many of the
close to Villavicencio, Colombia. single male and several females. Partially buried tributaries on the southern side of the Amazon.
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). clay flowerpots make ideal spawning sites. These SIZE 4 in (10 cm).
DIET Prepared foods and small live foods. should be spaced around the aquarium to provide DIET Prepared foods and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 73–86°F (23–30°C); soft a retreat for each female. A typical spawning results WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). in up to 120 eggs, with the fry hatching in three (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
TEMPERAMENT Males are territorial. days. The male sometimes helps to guard the fry. TEMPERAMENT Males are territorial.
The appearance of these dwarf cichlids is variable,
with a number of morphs recognized, all of them
brightly colored. Yellow predominates in the
individual pictured below, but others have reddish-
orange fins. Weekly partial water changes of about
10 percent of total volume are important for all
dwarf cichlids, to keep the nitrate level low. Water
changes may trigger spawning and will lessen the
risk of fungal attacks on the eggs.

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