Viejita Dwarf Cichlid

The Viejita dwarf cichlid is a colorful Apistogramma from the middle Orinoco basin of Colombia, inhabiting soft, acidic, slow-moving waters rich in leaf litter and submerged wood. It is closely related to A. macmasteri and often confused with it in the trade; dominant males show a warm body with red-orange fin edging, dark lateral markings and a rounded, red-bordered tail. It is a generally peaceful, harem-spawning species best kept as one male with two or three females in a structured tank. Provide caves, driftwood, leaf litter and planting to define territories, with pH 5.5-6.8, low hardness and temperatures of 24-29 C. Females turn bright yellow and defend their fry vigorously, so ensure other fish have refuge. Feed small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and artemia. Soft, warm, clean water and subdued lighting encourage breeding and full coloration.