Viejita dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma viejita
Also known as Red edge apisto, Rotsaum
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 2.8 in
- 7 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Tributaries of the Rio Meta in the Orinoco drainage of Colombia, in shallow, slow, densely vegetated savannah waters.
Overview
A single male with one or two females fits a 75 liter tank at 24 to 28 C and pH 5.5 to 7.0, with soft water. Provide caves and planted cover to hold territories. Feed small live and frozen foods. It is mostly peaceful and only defensive around a female's breeding cave.
In the wild
Apistogramma viejita comes from tributaries of the Rio Meta in the Orinoco drainage of Colombia. It lives in shallow, slow, densely vegetated savannah waters with very low mineral content. It is a small, harem-forming dwarf cichlid. Provide caves, leaf litter, and dense planting.
Good to know
Apistogramma viejita was described by Kullander in 1979 and reaches about 7 cm. Males show a diagnostic red or orange edge along the dorsal fin, which gives it the trade name Rotsaum. Most fish sold as viejita are actually the related Apistogramma macmasteri or hybrids.
Did you know
The true species is uncommon, since the viejita name has been attached for years to line-bred color forms that are really other Apistogramma.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Viejita dwarf cichlid is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. Keep only one male per tank. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Kuekenthal's halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali
Freshwater3.3 in (8.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Vampire shrimp
Atya gabonensis
Freshwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Blackmargin tetra
Moenkhausia nigromarginata
Freshwater2.1 in (5.3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Amanda Jane's cory
Brochis amandajanea
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Blue panchax
Aplocheilus panchax
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Marble wood shrimp
Atya scabra
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Viejita dwarf cichlid need?
A Viejita dwarf cichlid needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Viejita dwarf cichlid need?
A Viejita dwarf cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
How big does a Viejita dwarf cichlid get?
An adult Viejita dwarf cichlid reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).
Related species
2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Alacrina dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma alacrina
2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Inca dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma baenschi
2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3 in (7.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Hoigne's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma hoignei
3 in (7.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3 in (7.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Panduro apisto
Apistogramma panduro
3 in (7.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Bigfin dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma megaptera
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Blue-cheek dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma eunotus
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)