Apistogramma borellii

Borelli's Dwarf Cichlid is a charming and relatively peaceful small fish from South America, making it a wonderful choice for those new to cichlids. Often called the Yellow Dwarf Cichlid, its most striking feature is the male's vibrant coloration, a mix of iridescent blue and bright yellow, which becomes even more intense during courtship. He also has a magnificent, high dorsal fin which he fans out like an umbrella to impress females or ward off rivals, giving it another common name: the Umbrella Cichlid. Females are typically smaller with more subdued tones, but they transform to a brilliant lemon yellow when caring for their eggs and fry. In your aquarium, they appreciate a setup that mimics their natural-world home. This means a tank with soft, sandy substrate for them to sift through and plenty of hiding places created by driftwood, small caves, and dense plantings. They feel most secure with this cover. For tank mates, choose other small, peaceful species that swim in the upper parts of the aquarium, such as small tetras, rasboras, or pencilfish. It's best to avoid keeping more than one male unless the tank is very large. A varied diet is essential for their health and color; they eagerly accept high-quality sinking pellets, supplemented with treats like frozen or live brine shrimp and daphnia. They are a captivating fish with interesting behaviors that are a joy to observe.