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Electric Blue Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma agassizii
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid · electric blue
📍 South America
The Electric Blue Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid is a selectively bred strain featuring intense electric blue coloration across the body and fins. Males are stunning but territorial — best kept as a single male with one or two females in a well-planted species tank or peaceful community.
Care Guide
Diet
Feed high-quality micro pellets and small flake foods as staples, supplemented 3-4 times weekly with frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Offer occasional vegetable matter such as blanched spinach. Feed small portions once daily, only what can be consumed in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Electric Blue Agassiz's are territorial and somewhat shy, preferring heavily planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots. Males display intense aggression toward other males and should be kept singly; females are more docile but still require adequate space. They are bottom-dwellers and cave spawners that spend much time exploring substrate and vegetation.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult and requires pristine water conditions (soft, acidic water around pH 5.5-6.5, 24-26°C). Pairs will spawn in caves or PVC tubes, with females guarding fry while males defend territory. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food before graduating to micro foods.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae eaters that occupy different water columns and don't compete for territory
Small, peaceful schooling fish that avoid the bottom-dwelling cichlid and prefer upper water areas
May be preyed upon by aggressive males; best in heavily planted tanks with plenty of escape routes
Small, peaceful community fish that school in mid-water and don't threaten or compete with dwarf cichlids
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt or ich medication; treat for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Fraying or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration, fin loss, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial changes, reduce stress, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure good filtration
Hole-in-the-Head (HITH)
Pitting or holes in head and lateral line, loss of appetite, behavioral changes
Perform frequent water changes, improve diet with quality foods and vitamin supplementation, use metronidazole if bacterial; maintain stable water parameters
Velvet Disease (Oodinium)
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, scratching, clamped fins
Increase aeration and temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily water changes, use copper-free velvet treatment; dim lighting may help
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