Panda Dwarf Cichlid
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| Common name | Panda dwarf cichlid |
| Scientific name | Apistogramma nijsseni |
| Synonyms | |
| Size | Male up to 2" (5cm), female smaller. |
| Origin | S. America: Peru |
| Tank setup | Planted tank, with rock or bogwood caves and sand or fine gravel. |
| Compatibility | More peaceful than larger cichlids, but they will become territorial when spawning. |
| Temperature | 24-28oC (75-82oF) |
| Water chemistry | Soft and acidic, pH 5.5 - 6.8 preferred. Although the fish are more likely to look their best
and breed in their preferred water, they will usually adapt to slightly harder alkaline water in the aquarium. |
| Feeding | Omnivorous: Should take dry foods, but live or frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and mosquito larvae will be preferred. |
| Sexing | Males are larger and have a blue colour sheen and a red-edged tail. Females have a distinctive yellow colouration with black blotches, resulting in
the common name of Panda dwarf cichlid. |
| Breeding | Soft and acidic water of excellent quality required.
Can be bred as a pair or a harem with several females holding small territories. Provide caves with a very small entrance.
The female normally guards the fry, while the male defends the wider territory. Fry are normally free-swimming in about a week. |
