No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Panduro Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma panduro
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
📍 South America
A beautiful dwarf cichlid from the Ucayali River basin in Peru, with males displaying a blue body, yellow-orange flank markings, and bright blue finnage; females turn vivid yellow with black markings during breeding. It prefers soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6.0–7.0), a well-planted 20-gallon tank, and does best as a male-female pair or in a species setup.
Care Guide
Diet
Panduro Dwarf Cichlids are omnivorous and require a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets, small flake foods, and regular servings 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 supports digestive health.
Behavior
Males are territorial and display vibrant coloration with extended finnage during breeding or aggression, while females remain more subdued unless spawning. They are bottom-dwellers that spend most time foraging among substrate and plants, showing curious but cautious behavior. Pairs bond strongly, but males can be aggressive toward other males and non-paired females outside of breeding season.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult and requires stable, soft acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5) with temperatures around 78–80°F. Pairs will spawn in caves or dense vegetation, with females guarding fry while males defend territory; remove non-breeding fish to prevent predation. Fry are small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting micro foods.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae eaters that occupy different water zones and share soft, acidic water preferences
Small, non-aggressive schooling fish that thrive in similar soft, acidic conditions without competing for bottom space
May be preyed upon by larger males, but small enough to avoid direct competition; best in heavily planted tanks
Hardy plant that provides shelter and breeding caves without being uprooted by foraging behavior
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature to 82–84°F, perform daily 25% water changes, and treat with ich medication; maintain excellent water quality
Fin Rot
Frayed or disintegrating fin edges, often with white or cloudy appearance
Improve water quality through frequent changes, reduce aggression by providing more hiding spots, and use antibacterial medication if severe
Hole-in-the-Head (Hexamita)
Small pits or holes developing on the head, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform large water changes, improve diet with varied foods and vitamin supplements, and treat with metronidazole if recommended by a veterinarian
Bacterial Infection
Cloudy eyes, torn fins, red streaks on body, behavioral changes
Maintain pristine water conditions with frequent changes, isolate affected fish if possible, and use broad-spectrum antibacterial treatment
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Panduro Dwarf Cichlid to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Water it likes
- ph
- 4.5–6.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- temperature
- 75–84°F (24–29°C)