TankBud

Steindachner's dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma steindachneri

Also known as Guyana apisto

FreshwaterFish

Steindachner's dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma steindachneri)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Coastal drainages of Guyana and Suriname, from the Essequibo to the Corantijn

Overview

Steindachner's dwarf cichlid is a sturdy, old-school apisto that suits a first harem project. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

Steindachner's dwarf cichlid was one of the first apistos in the hobby. It swam in European aquariums back when the whole genus was still filed under Heros.

Caring for the Steindachner's dwarf cichlid

Keep one male Steindachner's dwarf cichlid with two or three females in 20 gal (75 L) or more. A planted tank with sand and caves keeps them comfortable, and each female should hold a cave of her own.

This apisto handles a range of conditions well. Keep the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. It eats everything from flake to frozen foods. It is mostly peaceful, stays near the bottom and is safe with community fish.

Males have a spade-shaped tail and a heavy spot on the side. The fish spawn readily in soft, mildly acidic water, each female in her own cave. Broods are large for the genus, and the females herd clouds of fry across the tank floor for weeks. Breeding is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

Regan described Steindachner's dwarf cichlid in 1908 and named it for the Austrian ichthyologist Franz Steindachner. It is one of the early names in its genus and the classic apisto of the Guianas. It belongs to the cichlid family, Cichlidae, and has been bred in aquariums since at least the mid-twentieth century.

In the wild

Steindachner's dwarf cichlid lives in the coastal river systems of Guyana and Suriname, from the Essequibo to the Corantijn. It is found in creek pools and ditches with leaf litter, plants and gently acidic water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Steindachner's dwarf cichlid is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Steindachner's dwarf cichlid need?

A Steindachner's dwarf cichlid needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Steindachner's dwarf cichlid need?

A Steindachner's dwarf cichlid is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Steindachner's dwarf cichlid eat?

A Steindachner's dwarf cichlid eats everything from flake to frozen foods.

How big does a Steindachner's dwarf cichlid get?

An adult Steindachner's dwarf cichlid reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How can you tell a male Steindachner's dwarf cichlid from a female?

Males have a spade-shaped tail and a heavy spot on the side of the body.

How does a Steindachner's dwarf cichlid breed?

Steindachner's dwarf cichlids spawn readily in soft, mildly acidic water, with each female in her own cave. Broods are large for the genus, and the females herd the fry across the tank floor for weeks.

Related species