{"product_id":"apistogramma-agassizii-apistogramma-agassizii","title":"Apistogramma Agassizii | Apistogramma agassizii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAgassiz's Dwarf Cichlid is one of the most popular apistos of all, a spear-tailed stunner in which males blaze with fiery reds, blues and golds. It is a peaceful, characterful dwarf that pairs and parents beautifully in soft, warm water. Males reach around 8 cm while females stay smaller, making it a superb centrepiece for a planted nano-community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eApistogramma agassizii is widespread through the Amazon basin of Brazil, Peru and Colombia, where it forages among leaf litter, roots and submerged wood in soft, acidic, tannin-stained blackwater. The water is warm and mineral-poor. Fine sand, driftwood, leaf litter and gentle shade recreate its home and bring out natural behaviour and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMales are elongate with a pointed 'spade' tail and vivid colour that varies by locality and line, from red and orange to blue and gold, marked by a dark lateral band. Females are smaller, rounder and turn intense yellow when in breeding dress. Colour and finnage develop fully in mature males kept over dark substrate in soft, settled water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful for a cichlid, becoming territorial only around a spawning cave. Keep as a single male with one or more females, or a bonded pair, in a densely planted tank with broken sight lines. It mixes well with small, gentle mid- and upper-water fish that enjoy soft, warm water. Avoid crowding several males into a small aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA micro-predator that relishes small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, cyclops and micro worms. Most captive-bred stock also take quality micro pellets and flake. Feed a varied diet in small amounts, using live or frozen foods to condition fish for spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 40 L for a pair, with 75 L or larger better for a harem. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.0 and soft water, around GH 1–8. Use fine sand, plenty of planting, driftwood and small caves for spawning, and keep water clean and stable with regular small changes, as apistos dislike accumulated nitrate. Completely plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA rewarding cave-spawner. The female lays and tends eggs inside a cave, colouring bright yellow, while the male guards the wider territory and defends the fry. Soft, warm, slightly acidic water triggers spawning; rear fry on newly hatched brine shrimp and micro foods. Water chemistry can influence the sex ratio of the brood.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApistogramma agassizii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAgassiz's Dwarf Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin (Brazil, Peru, Colombia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 8 cm (males); females smaller, around 5 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (micro): small live and frozen foods, micro pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft, around 1–8 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft-water planted and blackwater community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, hatchetfish, peaceful corydoras, otocinclus and other calm soft-water community fish. Upper-water dither fish help apistos feel secure.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large or aggressive cichlids, boisterous barbs, fin-nippers, and other bottom-dwelling dwarf cichlids in a small tank. Avoid hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232825622819,"sku":"AA1404","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232825655587,"sku":"BA9015","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/apistogramma-agassizii-apist-43091525042467.webp?v=1790306573","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/apistogramma-agassizii-apistogramma-agassizii","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}