Panda apistogramma
Apistogramma nijsseni · Cichlidae
Also known as Nijsseni's dwarf cichlid
Advanced
Females turn brilliant yellow with black blotches when guarding fry; needs genuinely soft water.
In short: A panda apistogramma needs at least 110 L (29 US gal), water at 24–29 °C (75–84 °F) and pH 4.5–6.5. It is semi-aggressive, kept in pairs or more, and rated advanced to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 110 L (29 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- pH
- 4.5–6.5
- Adult size
- 7 cm (2.8 in)
- Group size
- 2+
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 110 L (29 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- pH
- 4.5–6.5
- Hardness
- 0–6 dGH
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Diet
- Carnivore-leaning — frozen bloodworm, brine, micro pellets.
- Care level
- Advanced
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Rio Ucayali basin, Peru
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Biotope
- Blackwater forest pools
- Natural conditions
- Very soft acidic water; hard water skews or blocks breeding.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Minimum group
- 2 fish
- Swims
- Bottom
- Good tank mates
- Small tetrasPygmy corydoras
- Avoid
- Hard waterOther dwarf cichlids nearby
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- Males are larger and blue-grey; females yellow with black spots.
- Notes
- Cave spawner; fry sex ratio depends on pH and temperature.
- Common ailments
- Bacterial infection in hard waterIch
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