How many Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlids should I keep together?

It is best to keep them in a harem consisting of one male and two to three females. If your tank is under 120 litres, keeping multiple males will usually result in fatal territorial disputes.

Why has my female Apistogramma turned bright yellow?

Vibrant lemon-yellow colouration in females is a clear biological indicator that she is in breeding condition, actively spawning, or intensely guarding eggs and fry.

Do they absolutely need a blackwater setup?

While captive-bred specimens can adapt to clear, slightly soft water, they will display their best natural behaviours, strongest immune systems, and most brilliant colours in an acidic blackwater environment rich with tannins.

Are they safe to keep with freshwater shrimp?

Adult Amano shrimp or larger filter shrimp may be ignored, but small dwarf shrimp (such as Cherry shrimp) and any shrimplets will be actively hunted by these micropredators.

Why is my Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid losing its colour?

Loss of colour is typically a sign of stress. This can be caused by poor water quality, incorrect pH/hardness, an overly aggressive tankmate, or a lack of secure hiding spaces like caves and leaf litter.

A mature male Apistogramma agassizii displaying its striking colours, characteristic spade-shaped tail, and bold lateral zigzag band, hovering above a sandy substrate. — AI-generated illustration for OneShoal

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii

Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid is a stunning, spade-tailed bottom dweller hailing from the tannin-rich blackwater streams of the Amazon Basin.

List this species for sale Find Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 28 °C
pH range: 5 – 7
Hardness: 0 – 8 dGH
Adult size: 5 – 9 cm
60L for a single pair, 90L+ for a harem: 60 litres+
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Diet: carnivore
Water flow: low
Preferred setup: Soft sand substrate, dense leaf litter, driftwood tangles, and multiple enclosed caves (e.g., coconut shells or terracotta pots).

About the Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid

Known for its extraordinary colour morphs and unique spade-shaped tail, Apistogramma agassizii is one of the most popular dwarf cichlids in the aquarium hobby. Males display a striking horizontal dark band bordered by vibrant reds, blues, or yellows, while females transform into a vivid, territorial yellow during spawning. They are highly intelligent, substrate-oriented fish that exhibit fascinating harem dynamics. Because they remain relatively small, they make exceptional centrepiece fish for planted aquariums.

Find Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

Check Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid comes from

Native range

Amazon Basin, Solimões River, Ucayali River

Countries / regions

Brazil, Peru, Colombia

Habitat

Slow-moving, tannin-stained blackwater forest streams and tributaries with thick leaf litter, submerged roots, and soft muddy or sandy beds.

They possess an exceptionally wide distribution across the Amazon basin, which accounts for the vast number of naturally occurring geographical colour morphs.

Similar species

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
Umbrella Cichlid
Apistogramma borellii
Macmaster's Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma macmasteri

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Peaceful dither fish that occupy the middle and upper water layers, helping the cichlids feel secure while thriving in identical warm, acidic blackwater conditions.
Great
Brown Pencilfish
Nannostomus eques
Top-dwelling nano fish that share the same habitat requirements and will completely ignore the bottom-dwelling cichlids.
Great
Sterba's Corydoras
Corydoras sterbai
While generally peaceful, Corydoras constantly bumble across the substrate and do not understand cichlid territorial boundaries, which can lead to severe clashes if the Apistogramma are breeding.
Compatible with caution
Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
Housing multiple Apistogramma species together usually results in extreme territorial violence and competition for the same caves and substrate space.
Not recommended
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlids are micropredators; small dwarf shrimp and their offspring will likely be hunted and eaten.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid in this market yet.

Looking for Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid listings Post a wanted request