Golden dwarf cichlid
Nannacara anomala
Also known as Goldeye dwarf cichlid, Golden-eyed dwarf cichlid, Golden dwarf acara
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- 22–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Coastal freshwater drainages of western Guyana and Suriname, in slow forest creeks, ditches, and swampy pools.
Overview
A pair does well in a 60 liter tank at 22 to 28 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5. Feed small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp along with quality micro pellets. They are mostly peaceful and can share space with small, calm fish like pencilfish or tetras. Keep only one male unless the tank is large.
In the wild
Golden dwarf cichlids come from slow, shallow water in the coastal forests of Guyana and Suriname. They live among leaf litter, roots, and dense marginal plants in creeks and swampy pools. Wild water is soft and slightly acidic, but this species tolerates a wider range than most dwarf cichlids. A well planted tank with driftwood and a few caves suits them best.
Good to know
Nannacara anomala was described by Regan in 1905 and belongs to the family Cichlidae. It is strongly dimorphic, with males growing to about 8 cm and turning iridescent blue-green, while females stay near 4 to 5 cm. Brooding females darken almost to black and show a bold checkerboard pattern.
Did you know
The female forms a matriarchal family and guards the fry so fiercely that she will drive off a much larger male.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Golden dwarf cichlid is a mostly peaceful, solitary 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.
New Guinea blue-eye
Pseudomugil novaeguineae
Freshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)
White spotted rabbit snail
Tylomelania towutica
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Brittan's rasbora
Kottelatia brittani
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Threestripe cory
Hoplisoma trilineatum
Freshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Clown killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Gold rabbit snail
Tylomelania gemmifera
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Golden dwarf cichlid need?
A Golden dwarf cichlid needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Golden dwarf cichlid need?
A Golden dwarf cichlid is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Golden dwarf cichlid get?
An adult Golden dwarf cichlid reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
Related species
3.1 in (8 cm)14 gal (54 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Goldhead nannacara
Nannacara aureocephalus
3.1 in (8 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Striped nannacara
Nannacara taenia
2.4 in (6 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Twospot dwarf acara
Nannacara bimaculata
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Barlow's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma barlowi
3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Clown labidochromis
Labidochromis chisumulae
3.1 in (8 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Golden dwarf convict
Amatitlania nanolutea
3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)