Family: Cichlidae
Agassiz' dwarf cichlid — a Cichlidae from South America, territorial; line-of-sight breaks keep the peace. Reaches 3.3–4.8 cm; a pair claims a territory; give each a defensible cave. 26–29 °C.
A Cichlidae species native to South America: Apistogramma agassizii lives bottom-dwelling over lakes and slow rivers with structure. Territorial; line-of-sight breaks keep the peace. Adults reach 3.3–4.8 cm. It is one of the aquarium-kept Apistogramma species we profile, alongside Apistogramma cacatuoides, Apistogramma borellii, Apistogramma macmasteri.
Difficulty: moderate. Territorial; line-of-sight breaks keep the peace. A pair claims a territory; give each a defensible cave.
Set the heater to 26–29 °C and avoid swings. pH 5–7, GH 0–12 dGH suit it.
Expect 3.3–4.8 cm as an adult, living bottom-dwelling. A 28 L tank or larger gives it room.
Omnivore with a protein lean — quality cichlid pellets. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Territorial; line-of-sight breaks keep the peace. Recommended tankmates: Large robust catfish — Ignore the posturing below. Avoid Small or timid fish — Bullied relentlessly.
Comes from South America: lakes and slow rivers with structure. Expect still to gentle current and moderate.
Low escape risk, but a lid is cheap insurance.
Dedicated pair-bonded spawner; expect fry defence. Often striking; males larger and brighter.