Family: Cichlidae
Borelli's dwarf cichlid — a Cichlidae from South America, assertive but manageable with space and structure. Reaches 2.9–4.3 cm; singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded. 24–25 °C.
A Cichlidae species native to South America: Apistogramma borellii lives bottom-dwelling over lakes and slow rivers with structure. Assertive but manageable with space and structure. Adults reach 2.9–4.3 cm. It is one of the aquarium-kept Apistogramma species we profile, alongside Apistogramma cacatuoides, Apistogramma agassizii, Apistogramma macmasteri.
Intermediate difficulty. Assertive but manageable with space and structure; singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded.
Set the heater to 24–25 °C and avoid swings. pH 6–8, GH 5–19 dGH suit it.
Expect 2.9–4.3 cm as an adult, living bottom-dwelling. A 25 L tank or larger gives it room.
Accepts all foods; emphasise quality over variety. It forages naturally over sand with rock piles, so let some food reach the bottom.
Assertive but manageable with space and structure. 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.
Not a noted jumper — a standard cover still keeps dust and spray in.
In the aquarium: cave or substrate spawner with prolonged parental care. Often striking; males larger and brighter.