Golden Dwarf Cichlid

 

fish description – Golden Dwarf Cichlid Care Guide ($Nannacaraanomala$)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: The male displays an iridescent blue-green body with pale blues and a metallic sheen, especially when displaying, complemented by golden-yellow fins. The female is noticeably smaller, brown/yellow, and develops a distinctive black checkerboard pattern when spawning.
• Coloration: Males are much larger and more colorful, often showing metallic blue on the head and flanks, with elongated unpaired fins. Females are smaller and present an orange-brown base color with dark longitudinal bands, which transform into the protective checkerboard pattern during breeding.
• Fins: Males have elongated dorsal and anal fin extensions.
• Behavior: They are mid-to-bottom dwelling, inquisitive fish that spend time exploring the substrate and décor. They are generally peaceful in community settings but are fierce, dedicated cave-brooding parents.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons (75 liters) is the recommended minimum for a single pair or trio (1 male to 2 females). A 30-gallon tank or larger is needed for a community setup.
• Schooling: Best kept as a monogamous pair or a harem (1 male to 2–3 females). In smaller breeding tanks, the male should be removed after spawning, as the female may attack him while guarding the fry.
• Temperature: Tropical range: 72∘–82∘F (22∘–28∘C) (ideally 75∘–77∘F).
• pH Level: Soft, slightly acidic water is preferred: 6.0 to 7.5. They are hardy and tolerate a wide range, but thrive best in soft water ($\text{dGH}$ 3–10) with low nitrate levels.
• Aquascape: Requires a well-structured tank with a sandy substrate and plenty of hiding places/caves for spawning. Use clay pots, driftwood, coconut shells, or rock formations. Dense planting (Amazon Swords, Cryptocoryne) provides visual barriers and cover. Filtration should be efficient but gentle.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Golden Dwarf Cichlid is a micropredator/carnivore, foraging for invertebrates in the wild.

• Staple Diet: Accepts most high-quality foods. Use a meaty cichlid pellet or high-quality flake food as the staple diet.
• Supplementation: Diet must be varied, including both protein and vegetable matter. Offer frozen/live foods such as Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, Daphnia, and supplement with spirulina or blanched vegetables.
• Schedule: Feed small portions once or twice a day. Wild-caught individuals may initially require live food but tank-bred fish usually adapt easily.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: The female becomes extremely aggressive and territorial when guarding eggs or fry and may chase/injure other tank mates (including the male). Avoid slow-moving bottom-dwellers that occupy their prime territory. Not recommended with dwarf shrimp.
• Good Tank Mates: Other small, peaceful, and active fish that occupy the middle and top levels of the tank. Examples include small Tetras, Rasboras, Dwarf Corydoras, and peaceful Pencilfish.