TankBud

Goldhead nannacara

Nannacara aureocephalus

Also known as Golden-head dwarf cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Goldhead nannacara (Nannacara aureocephalus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
5.0–7.0
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
French Guiana creeks

Overview

The goldhead nannacara is a peaceful dwarf cichlid that lives near the bottom among cover. It is a step up from the easiest dwarf cichlids and suits a quiet community.

Did you know

A brooding goldhead nannacara female changes color almost instantly. She drops her plain colors for a bold black and gold checkerboard that warns other fish away from her fry. The switch is quick enough to catch you off guard.

Caring for the goldhead nannacara

A goldhead nannacara pair is comfortable in at least 14 gal (54 L). Use a dark sand bottom with leaf litter, driftwood and shady planted cover, plus a cave or two for spawning.

Keep the water warm, soft and acidic, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. Stay on top of water changes, since it does not tolerate a dirty or unsettled tank. Feed small foods such as micro pellets and quality flake, plus frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm.

Keep a male and female pair, or one male with a couple of females if the tank is larger. It is easy going enough for a quiet community and gets along with other small, calm fish. A female guarding eggs or fry turns fierce for her size and will drive others off her chosen cave.

The male is noticeably bigger than the female and has a gold lit head. It is a cave spawner, with the female tending the eggs and guarding the fry. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Nannacara aureocephalus is a dwarf cichlid in the family Cichlidae. Its species name means golden headed, for the brassy sheen a mature male carries over the front of the body.

In the wild

The goldhead nannacara lives in small, shaded forest creeks in French Guiana. The water there is soft and acidic, stained brown with tannins from fallen leaves.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The goldhead nannacara 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 goldhead nannacara need?

A goldhead nannacara needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a goldhead nannacara need?

A goldhead nannacara is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.

What does a goldhead nannacara eat?

A goldhead nannacara eats small foods such as micro pellets and quality flake. It also takes frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm.

How big does a goldhead nannacara get?

An adult goldhead nannacara reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How can you tell a male goldhead nannacara from a female?

Males are noticeably bigger than females and have a gold lit head.

How does a goldhead nannacara breed?

The goldhead nannacara is a cave spawner, and the female tends the eggs and guards the fry. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species