Apistogramma care

Water temperature

75–84°F

Keep apistogramma at 75–84°F with a pH of 5–7, in a tank of at least 20 gallons. Good tank mates include bettas, angelfish, kuhli loaches.

Dwarf cichlid that guards a cave. Fine with mid-water fish.

Apistogramma cacatuoides

pH

5–7

Minimum tank

20 gal

Adult size

3.0 in

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Group

Alone or in pairs

Lifespan

3–5 years

Swims at

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• AngelfishYes
• Kuhli loachYes
• Rummy nose tetraYes
• Ember tetraYes
• Cardinal tetraYes
• GuppyYes
• Tiger barbYes
• Congo tetraYes
• Lemon tetraYes
• Honey gouramiYes
• PencilfishYes

Full apistogramma tank mate chart: 56 yes, 27 with care, 15 no

Apistogramma water compared

Fish to keep away from apistogramma

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); apistogramma need 75–84°F. No temperature suits both.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches apistogramma do.
• Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches apistogramma do.
• Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches apistogramma do.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); apistogramma need 75–84°F. No temperature suits both.
• African cichlid Different water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, apistogramma want pH 5–7.
• Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and much bigger than apistogramma.
• Electric yellow cichlid Different water: apistogramma want pH 5–7, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.

More cichlids

• Angelfish76–84°F
• Oscar74–81°F
• Discus82–88°F
• Convict cichlid74–82°F
• German blue ram80–86°F
• African cichlid75–82°F
• Blood parrot76–80°F
• Jack Dempsey72–86°F