Hongsloi dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma hongsloi
Also known as Redstripe dwarf cichlid, Hongslo's dwarf cichlid, A110
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–84°F
- 23–29°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Rio Vichada and middle Rio Meta basins in Colombia and the middle Orinoco in Venezuela, in still, leaf-littered tributaries.
Overview
The Hongsloi dwarf cichlid is a bottom-dwelling cichlid for a planted tank. It is easy to keep.
Caring for the Hongsloi dwarf cichlid
Keep a single male Hongsloi dwarf cichlid with one or two females, in a tank of 20 gal (75 L) or more. Provide caves, leaf litter and planted cover to break up sight lines.
Hold the water at 73 to 84°F (23 to 29°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Tank-bred fish are more forgiving of harder water than wild ones.
Feed small live and frozen foods. These are slow feeders that lose out to fast tank mates, so pick their company with caution.
They are mostly peaceful outside of spawning, when the female guards her cave. Males reach about 3.1 in (8 cm) and show red flanks and stripes with extended fins, while females stay near 4.5 cm. Breeding them is moderately tricky.
Good to know
The Hongsloi dwarf cichlid was described by Kullander in 1979, and it carries the aquarium code A110. Line-bred color strains such as super red are common in the trade.
In the wild
The Hongsloi dwarf cichlid comes from the Rio Vichada and the middle Rio Meta in Colombia, and from the middle Orinoco in Venezuela. It lives in still, shallow water thick with leaf litter and fallen branches. The wild water is soft, acidic and stained brown with tannins.
Common questions
What size tank does a Hongsloi dwarf cichlid need?
A Hongsloi dwarf cichlid needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Hongsloi dwarf cichlid need?
A Hongsloi dwarf cichlid is comfortable at 73–84°F (23–29°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
What does a Hongsloi dwarf cichlid eat?
A Hongsloi dwarf cichlid eats small live and frozen foods. It is a slow feeder, so fast tank mates can beat it to the food.
How big does a Hongsloi dwarf cichlid get?
An adult Hongsloi dwarf cichlid reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
How can you tell a male Hongsloi dwarf cichlid from a female?
Males grow larger, reaching about 3.1 in (8 cm), while females stay near 4.5 cm. Males also show red flanks and stripes, with extended fins.
How does a Hongsloi dwarf cichlid breed?
A Hongsloi dwarf cichlid spawns in a cave, and the female guards it. Breeding it is moderately tricky.
Related species
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