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Apistogramma agassizii

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

Small Amazonian cichlid with colourful males.

Photo: Sychriscar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is a small freshwater fish from the Amazon basin. It lives in shallow waters of Peru and tributaries. Males display bright colours and long fins. The species is popular in home aquariums for its appearance.

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  • Males are larger and more colourful than females.
  • Prefers shallow water with leaf litter for shelter.
  • Sensitive to copper and rising water temperatures.
  • Requires soft acidic water in aquariums.

What it is

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is a small fish showing clear differences between sexes. Males grow larger and develop vivid colours with extended fins. Females remain smaller and less ornate. These physical traits help males secure territory and attract mates during breeding. The fish belongs to the cichlid family and is native to South America.

Where it lives

This species inhabits the Amazon basin, specifically the Marañón and Ucayali rivers in Peru. Its range extends through various tributaries down to the Atlantic estuary. It prefers shallow areas with little water movement. Accumulated dead leaves and plant debris provide essential cover from predators in these calm habitats.

How it lives

Diet varies by location within its habitat. In forested zones, it eats adult insects and fragments. In pasture areas, it targets insect larvae such as Diptera. The fish is territorial and uses shelter to avoid larger aquatic and aerial hunters. Genetic studies suggest the wide distribution may hide several distinct species clusters.

Breeding and life cycle

Females mature through four stages and release one batch of eggs per season. Spawning does not happen all at once for the population. This partial breeding pattern likely helps the species survive extreme seasonal water level changes. It ensures young fish enter the population continuously rather than in a single vulnerable group.

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

Aquarists value this cichlid for the striking appearance of mature males. Tanks require weekly water changes to keep nitrate levels low. Ideal conditions include soft water with a pH near 6.0. Decorations like bogwood break lines of sight to reduce territorial aggression. It should not share space with other dwarf cichlids but suits tetras.

Status and threats

Rising water temperatures from climate change threaten this fish. Deforestation worsens the impact by reducing shade and altering water quality. Local fishing practices using barbasco toxin kill non-target species indiscriminately. Copper contamination in Amazon waters also poses a risk due to the high sensitivity of this species to metal exposure.

Male Apistogramma agassizii in aquarium
Male Apistogramma agassizii in aquarium. Photo: Cisamarc, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Picture taken in the zoo of Wrocław (Poland): Apistogramma agassizii (Steindachner, 1875)
Picture taken in the zoo of Wrocław (Poland): Apistogramma agassizii (Steindachner, 1875). Photo: Guérin Nicolas ( messages ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

What tank size is needed for Agassiz's dwarf cichlid?

An aquarium of at least 10 gallons is recommended. This space allows for proper territory establishment and water stability.

Can I keep them with other dwarf cichlids?

No, they should not be housed with other dwarf cichlids due to territorial behaviour. Small shoaling fish like tetras are better tankmates.

What do they eat in the wild?

Their diet depends on the habitat. In forests they eat adult insects, while in pasture areas they prefer insect larvae like Diptera.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Apistogramma agassizii", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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