Macmaster's dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma macmasteri

Also known as Macmasteri apisto

FreshwaterFish

Macmaster's dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma macmasteri) — Jorsha · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH: 5.0–7.0
Adult size: 2.4 in (6 cm)
Minimum tank: 20 gal (75 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Origin: Meta and Orinoco river basin, Colombia
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

Keep them as a single pair or a harem of one male with two or three females, in a tank of 75 liters or larger with broken sightlines so the females can hold separate territories. They are mostly peaceful and spend their time near the bottom, working the sand and patrolling around caves and wood. Water should sit between 24 and 28 C, soft, and acidic with a pH from 5 to 7. Feed small sinking foods along with frozen or live treats like daphnia, baby brine, and bloodworms. Pick calm tankmates that swim higher up, since a breeding female turns very defensive and will chase anything that comes near her fry.

In the wild

Macmaster's dwarf cichlid comes from the Meta and Orinoco river basin in Colombia, where it lives over fine sand among driftwood and fallen leaves in soft, acidic, tannin-stained blackwater. To match that, give them fine sand substrate, a few caves or upturned pots, driftwood, and leaf litter that stains the water and breaks up sightlines. Keep the water soft and acidic, with a pH from 5 to 7 and a temperature from 24 to 28 C. A tank of at least 75 liters gives a pair or harem enough room to set up territories.

Good to know

This is a dwarf cichlid in the family Cichlidae, with males reaching about 6 cm and females staying noticeably smaller. It is a cave spawner, laying its eggs inside a sheltered hollow where the female tends them. Most fish in the trade are tank-bred, and a healthy adult lives several years.

Did you know

When a female takes on a brood she changes color, going bright yellow with dark markings, and her temper changes with it. She will guard the eggs and fry hard and drive off fish many times her size, including her own mate if he wanders too close to the cave.