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Viejita Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma viejita
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cichliformes›Cichlidae
📍 Rio Meta, Colombia
Beautiful dwarf cichlid with a high dorsal fin and red-spotted flanks. Males are particularly colourful with blue-red patterns.
Care Guide
Diet
Viejita dwarf cichlids are omnivores that require a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets, small flakes, and regular supplements of frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach or algae wafers supports digestive health.
Behavior
These cichlids are semi-aggressive and highly territorial, especially males during breeding season. They are bottom-dwellers that spend much of their time foraging along the substrate and exploring caves or dense vegetation. Males display vibrant colors and elaborate fin displays when establishing dominance, while females are generally more subdued in coloration.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult and requires pristine water conditions, plenty of hiding spots, and a ratio favoring females. Pairs are monogamous and will aggressively defend their spawning site and fry. Expect 40-100 eggs per spawn; fry become free-swimming in 5-7 days and can be fed infusoria or liquid fry food initially.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae eater that occupies different feeding zones and won't compete with cichlids
Small, fast-moving tetra that stays in mid-water column; less likely to trigger aggression
May be predated upon, especially fry; only suitable in heavily planted tanks with escape routes
Hardy snail that helps with algae control and is generally ignored by cichlids
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, flashing against objects, rapid breathing, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove sharp decorations, treat with antibacterial medication if severe; ensure pH and temperature stability
Hole-in-the-Head (Hexamita)
Small pits or holes developing on head, loss of appetite, weight loss, erratic behavior
Perform large water changes, improve diet with quality foods and vitamin supplements, use metronidazole-based treatment; maintain excellent water quality
Bloat (Dropsy)
Swollen abdomen, scales standing on end, lethargy, loss of appetite, difficulty swimming
Isolate affected fish, perform water changes, feed high-quality foods sparingly, use antibacterial treatment; may be difficult to reverse if advanced
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 5.0–7.0
- diet
- omnivore
- maxSize
- 2.5 inches
- minTankSize
- 20 gallons
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C