Parilus nanochromis
Nanochromis parilus
Also known as Congo dwarf cichlid parilus, Blue Congo dwarf cichlid
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.6 in (6.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal (110 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Lower Congo river
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
Nanochromis parilus is a cave-spawning dwarf, best kept as a pair with several caves to choose between. Outside breeding it is unobtrusive and works the lower third of the tank. When a pair spawns they hold a firm perimeter, so give them a 110 liter footprint and sight breaks. Males show lilac to blue over the flanks with a patterned tail. Feed small frozen foods, live daphnia and a fine sinking pellet.
In the wild
Nanochromis parilus lives along rock edges and among cobbles in the lower Congo, in moving water that stays clear and warm. Keep it at 23 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 6.0 to 7.5, softer than most rock-dwelling cichlids need, with caves, some current and water kept clean.
Good to know
Nanochromis parilus reaches about 6.5 centimeters and is the fish generations of keepers bought labeled as Nanochromis nudiceps, a genuinely different and rarely imported species. Females are the showier sex here, developing a swollen purple to magenta belly in condition, which reverses the usual cichlid arrangement.
Did you know
Parilus means nearly equal, named for resembling nudiceps; the resemblance ran the hobby for fifty years.
Common questions
What size tank does a Parilus nanochromis need?
A Parilus nanochromis needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Parilus nanochromis need?
Parilus nanochromis are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Parilus nanochromis get?
An adult Parilus nanochromis reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Parilus nanochromis?
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Related species
Consortus nanochromis
Nanochromis consortusFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Teugels' nanochromis
Nanochromis teugelsiFreshwater2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Transvestite cichlid
Nanochromis transvestitusFreshwater2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Congo blue cichlid
Nanochromis nudicepsFreshwater2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Splendens nanochromis
Nanochromis splendensFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Bigfin dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma megapteraFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)