Apistogramma agassizii

The Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid is a small but stunning fish, perfect for adding a splash of color and personality to an aquarium. Males are the real showstoppers, boasting vibrant blues, reds, and yellows, a stark contrast to the more subtly colored females. Each fish is territorial and likes to claim a small spot in the tank as its own, so it's important to provide plenty of hiding places like small caves, dense plants, and driftwood. They spend most of their time exploring the bottom and middle levels of the tank. For their home, a sandy bottom is best, as they sometimes like to sift through the substrate and may dig around plant roots. As carnivores, they thrive on a diet of meaty foods. High-quality sinking pellets, supplemented with treats like frozen brine shrimp or bloodworms, will keep them healthy and colorful. Due to their territorial nature, it's best to keep one male with one or more females in a well-decorated tank. Housing two males together can lead to conflicts unless the aquarium is very large. They are sensitive to water quality, so keeping their water warm, clean, and stable is the key to successfully keeping these beautiful dwarf cichlids. Their relatively low waste production makes them a manageable addition for an attentive fishkeeper.