Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid is a small South American cichlid (family Cichlidae) from the Amazon basin, favoring slow, soft blackwater tributaries. Males are showy, with an elongated body and a spade-shaped tail that may be yellow, red, or blue depending on the population, while females are smaller and turn bright yellow when guarding fry. It is a comparatively peaceful dwarf cichlid, though males defend territories and become protective during breeding. A single male with one or more females works well. A planted aquarium with soft, acidic, warm water, gentle flow, and caves or coconut shells for spawning suits it best. It eats small live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms alongside quality prepared foods. Females are cave-spawners and tend the eggs and fry attentively. It is a rewarding choice for aquarists comfortable managing water chemistry.