TankBud

Inca dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma baenschi

Also known as Inca cichlid, Inka 50, A188, Baensch's dwarf cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Inca dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma baenschi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
5.0–7.0
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Cave spawner · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Small forest streams of the lower Rio Huallaga system in Peru, over fine white sand with heavy leaf litter and driftwood.

Overview

The Inca dwarf cichlid is a small cichlid from Peru that suits a planted community tank. It is easy to keep and makes a good first apisto.

Did you know

The Inca dwarf cichlid tolerates neutral, moderately hard water better than most dwarf cichlids.

Caring for the Inca dwarf cichlid

Keep a single male Inca dwarf cichlid with a female or two in a tank of at least 20 gal (75 L). Provide caves, wood and dense planting for cover, and add some leaf litter.

Keep the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. Feed small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp.

The Inca dwarf cichlid is mostly peaceful and safe in a community tank. It turns defensive only when the female is guarding a cave.

Males reach about 2.8 in (7 cm), with extended dorsal rays and a red crescent on the tail. Females are smaller and yellow. It is one of the most easily bred dwarf cichlids.

Good to know

Apistogramma baenschi was described in 2004 and is widely known by the trade codes A188 and Inka 50. It is one of the most adaptable dwarf cichlids.

In the wild

The Inca dwarf cichlid lives in small forest streams of the lower Rio Huallaga system in Peru. It occupies shallow water over fine white sand, with heavy leaf litter and driftwood. The water there is soft and acidic.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Inca 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an Inca dwarf cichlid need?

An Inca dwarf cichlid needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Inca dwarf cichlid need?

An Inca dwarf cichlid is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.

What does an Inca dwarf cichlid eat?

An Inca dwarf cichlid eats small live and frozen foods, such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp.

How big does an Inca dwarf cichlid get?

An adult Inca dwarf cichlid reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

How can you tell a male Inca dwarf cichlid from a female?

Males have extended dorsal rays and a red crescent on the tail. Females are smaller and yellow.

How does an Inca dwarf cichlid breed?

An Inca dwarf cichlid is one of the easiest dwarf cichlids to breed. The female guards a cave, the one time the fish turns defensive.

Related species