Apistogramma hongsloi
Hongslo's Dwarf Cichlid
Scientific Classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Actinopterygii
Family:Cichlidae
Genus:Apistogramma
Species:hongsloi
IUCN Status:Not Evaluated
Quick Stats
Difficulty
Medium
Environment
Freshwater
Temperature
23°C - 29°C
pH Level
5 - 7
Water Hardness
18 - 90 ppm
Lifespan
5 years
Origin
South America
Adult Size
5 - 8 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Creature Type
Fish
TDS
150 ppm
Water Flow
Low Flow
Aquarium Building Information
Minimum Tank Size
40L
Swimming Zone
middle, bottom
Oxygen Consumption
Low
Waste Production
Low
Metabolism Rate
Medium
Activity Level
Moderate
Feeding Frequency
Daily
Food Types
Sinking Pellets
Frozen Food
Live Food
Flakes
About This Species
Basic Description
Hongslo's Dwarf Cichlid, also known by colourful names like Super Red Cichlid, is a small and attractive fish from South America. Reaching a maximum size of about 8 cm, it's a great choice for aquarists with tanks of at least 40 litres. While its colours are brilliant, its care level is considered medium, making it better suited for those with some fish-keeping experience. This is mainly because it prefers specific water conditions: soft, acidic, and warm water with low flow, mimicking its natural habitat. It is generally a peaceful but territorial fish, so it's best not to crowd it with other bottom-dwellers. You'll often see it swimming slowly in the middle and bottom parts of the tank, sometimes digging around the base of plants. As an omnivore, it's not a picky eater. A daily diet of high-quality flakes, sinking pellets, and occasional treats of frozen or live food will keep it healthy and vibrant. With proper care, this colourful cichlid can be a highlight in your aquarium for up to 5 years. It is not a schooling fish and can be kept singly or in a pair.
Detailed Description
Apistogramma hongsloi, commonly known as Hongslo's Dwarf Cichlid, is a prized species among cichlid enthusiasts for its striking coloration and engaging personality. Originating from slow-moving freshwater systems in South America, replicating its natural environment is key to its successful keeping. The 'medium' difficulty rating stems directly from its need for specific water chemistry: a pH range of 5.0-7.0 and very soft water (18-90 ppm). Hobbyists should aim for these parameters using RO water mixed with tap water, or by incorporating tannins from driftwood and leaf litter, which also complements its desire for a low-flow environment and provides cover. A minimum 40-litre tank is suitable for a single pair, but a larger setup is recommended for a harem-style group (one male, multiple females) to disperse territorial aggression. As a benthic and demersal species, it will claim a territory on the bottom of the tank, often centered around a cave or dense planting. Its 'plant rooter' behavior is generally mild and involves searching for food or preparing a spawning site, so robust plants like Anubias or Java Fern are excellent choices. While it can be housed in a community tank, tank mates should be chosen with care. Ideal companions are peaceful, occupy the upper water column (like small tetras or rasboras), and thrive in similar soft, acidic water. Avoid other dwarf cichlids or aggressive bottom-dwellers unless the aquarium is very spacious with many visual barriers. Feeding is straightforward. As an omnivore with a moderate metabolism, a single daily feeding is sufficient. A varied diet consisting of a high-quality sinking pellet base, supplemented with frozen and live foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia, will not only ensure its health but also significantly enhance its 'bright_colored' potential, especially in males. Breeding is rated as 'moderate' and is often triggered by maintaining pristine, stable water conditions that match its native parameters. Its low waste production and oxygen consumption make it a relatively low-bioload species, but its sensitivity to water quality means that regular maintenance and water changes are non-negotiable for its long-term health and 5-year lifespan.
Scientific Description
Apistogramma hongsloi is a freshwater teleost fish belonging to the family Cichlidae, a large and diverse family in the order Cichliformes. This species is endemic to neotropical river systems in South America. Its ecological niche is characterized by lentic, or low-flow, aquatic environments. Successful husbandry requires strict adherence to specific physicochemical water parameters that mimic its natural habitat. The species exhibits a thermal tolerance between 23°C and 29°C. It is an acidophilic species, thriving in a pH range of 5.0 to 7.0, and requires exceptionally soft water, with a general hardness tolerance of only 18 to 90 ppm. The total dissolved solids (TDS) should be maintained around 150 ppm. Its salinity tolerance is negligible (0-0.5 ppt), classifying it as a stenohaline freshwater organism. Morphologically, it is a small cichlid, with adult specimens ranging from 5 to 8 cm in length. Behaviorally, A. hongsloi is a demersal species, occupying the middle and benthic zones of its environment. It displays characteristic cichlid territoriality, although its slow swimming speed and moderate activity level suggest this aggression is primarily for territory defense rather than predation. The species is an omnivore, and its diet in captivity should reflect this with a mix of prepared and live/frozen foods. Metabolic and physiological data indicate a medium metabolic rate, low oxygen consumption, and subsequently low waste production, resulting in a bioload factor of 2.8. This suggests a relatively efficient metabolism. Reproductive difficulty is classified as moderate, implying that specific environmental cues, likely tied to the narrow water chemistry requirements, are necessary to stimulate spawning behavior. The species has been observed to engage in minor substrate modification ('plant rooter'), a behavior that may be linked to foraging or the creation of spawning pits. As of the last assessment, its IUCN conservation status is Not Evaluated (NE).
