{"product_id":"apistogramma-macmasteri-apistogramma-macmasteri","title":"Apistogramma Macmasteri | Apistogramma macmasteri","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMacMaster's Dwarf Cichlid, sometimes called the Red Shoulder Apisto, is a handsome dwarf with red-edged finnage and bold facial markings. Males colour up with a warm body and red in the tail and dorsal, while females stay smaller and simpler. A peaceful, characterful apisto that pairs and parents beautifully in a soft, warm, planted tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eApistogramma macmasteri comes from the Rio Meta drainage of the Orinoco basin in Colombia, where it lives among leaf litter, roots and plants in soft, warm, slowly moving water. Fine sand, planting, driftwood and leaf litter recreate its home and encourage natural foraging and breeding behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMales have a warm tan-to-golden body crossed by a dark lateral band and facial stripes, with red edging to the dorsal and tail and a squared-off caudal fin. Females are smaller, rounder and turn bright yellow when breeding. Line-bred red forms are common in the trade. Colour deepens over dark substrate with good diet and settled water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRelatively peaceful, becoming territorial only around a spawning cave. Best kept as a single male with one or more females, or a pair, in a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots and broken sight lines. It mixes well with small, gentle community fish that share its soft, warm water. Avoid keeping several males together in a small tank.\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, and takes 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 75 L, with more space for a harem. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–6.8 and soft water, around GH 1–8. Use fine sand, dense planting, driftwood and small caves, and keep water clean and stable with regular small changes, as this species prefers low 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 surrounding territory. Soft, warm, acidic water encourages 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 macmasteri\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMacMaster's (Red Shoulder) Dwarf Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRio Meta, Orinoco basin, Colombia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 7 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\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger for a harem\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\u003e5.5–6.8\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.\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":55232826310947,"sku":"BA8247","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232826343715,"sku":"BA8247-M","price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/apistogramma-macmasteri-apis-43091525271843.webp?v=1790306577","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/apistogramma-macmasteri-apistogramma-macmasteri","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}