Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma agassizii
An Amazon dwarf cichlid whose males carry a lyre-shaped tail; prefers soft, acidic water and breeds in caves.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 17 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 3 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, micro pellets
- Origin
- Amazon basin, South America
- Hardier than44%
- Bigger than46%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpShrimplets get eaten.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish eats small fish: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 8550 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Agassiz's dwarf cichlid.Risky
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat young or small Agassiz's dwarf cichlid; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- DemasoniTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 7200 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlid: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlid: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlid: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- SeverumSeverum can eat Agassiz's dwarf cichlid: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 5.0 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for Agassiz's dwarf cichlids: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 7.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 6.33 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 3.93 BU
- Min. water
- 54 L net
- Min. footprint
- 60 × 30 cm per pair
- Group
- 2+ (best 3)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- carnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- nitrate
Care notes
Agassiz's dwarf cichlids come from the Amazon and are peaceful outside of breeding. Fire red, double red and blue forms are sold; males reach about 3 inches and females about 2.
Keep one male with one or two females in a mature 15 gallon tank or larger with soft, acidic water, sand and caves. Females turn aggressive while guarding fry, so a small tank may need the male removed.
Questions
What size tank does a agassiz's dwarf cichlid need?
At least 17 gallons (54 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3 inches without fins.
How many Agassiz's dwarf cichlids should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 3 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do Agassiz's dwarf cichlids need?
72–84 °F, pH 5–6.5 and 0–10 dGH. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids come from Amazon basin, South America.
How long do Agassiz's dwarf cichlids live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with Agassiz's dwarf cichlids?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.