{"product_id":"apistogramma-viejita-red-neck-apistogramma-viejita-red-neck","title":"Apistogramma Viejita Red Neck | Apistogramma viejita 'Red Neck'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Viejita 'Red Neck' is a premium line-bred dwarf cichlid with a fiery red-edged dorsal and a warm, richly coloured body. Males are the showpieces, while females stay smaller and colour up yellow when breeding. A peaceful, sought-after apisto for the soft-water enthusiast, reaching around 7 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe wild Apistogramma viejita is native to 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. It is worth noting that many fish sold in the trade as A. viejita are actually A. macmasteri or macmasteri hybrids; either way, care is the same. Fine sand, planting, driftwood and leaf litter recreate its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMales show a warm body crossed by a dark lateral band, with the 'Red Neck' line selected for intense red along the nape and dorsal edge. Females are smaller, rounder and turn bright yellow when breeding. Colour deepens over dark substrate with good diet and settled water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful, though slightly territorial and sometimes a little intolerant of its own kind until a hierarchy is settled. It becomes more territorial around a spawning cave. Best kept as a pair or a male with several females in a well-planted tank with plenty of caves and broken sight lines. It mixes well with small, gentle community fish.\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 larger tanks better for a harem or community. Keep temperature at 23–28 °C, pH 5.5–6.5 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. 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 viejita (trade stock often A. macmasteri or hybrids)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Neck Viejita Dwarf Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLine-bred; wild form from the Rio 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\u003e23–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–6.5\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":55232825295139,"sku":"AA1589","price":95.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232825327907,"sku":"AA1589-M","price":105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/apistogramma-viejita-red-nec-43091525435683.webp?v=1790306577","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/apistogramma-viejita-red-neck-apistogramma-viejita-red-neck","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}