Sabina's dwarf cichlid
Congochromis sabinae
Also known as Orange congochromis
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH
- 5.0–6.8
- Adult size
- 2.6 in (6.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal (75 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Central Congo basin
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
A secretive dwarf cichlid for a small, dimly lit blackwater tank. Keep a pair with leaf litter, wood and several caves. They spawn in a cave and turn briefly territorial, but the rest of the time they pick through litter and stay out of sight. Tannin-stained water and low light are what bring them out and bring up their color. Feed small live and frozen foods, and expect them to ignore dry food at first.
In the wild
Congochromis sabinae lives in small forest brooks of the central Congo basin, in shallow water choked with leaf litter and fallen wood. The water there is soft, acidic and stained with tannins. Keep it at 23 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 5.0 to 6.8, with litter on the floor and the lighting kept low.
Good to know
Congochromis sabinae reaches about 6.5 centimeters. The form usually traded shows warm orange over the flanks that reads like embers against dark leaf litter, and females flush red on the belly in breeding condition. It is a cave spawner. The genus was split from Nanochromis in 2007, so older references file this group under that name.
Did you know
Lamboj named it for his daughter Sabina; the genus is a family affair in both senses.
Common questions
What size tank does a Sabina's dwarf cichlid need?
A Sabina's dwarf cichlid needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Sabina's dwarf cichlid need?
Sabina's dwarf cichlid are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.8.
How big do Sabina's dwarf cichlid get?
An adult Sabina's dwarf cichlid 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
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Related species
Bigfin dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma megapteraFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Consortus nanochromis
Nanochromis consortusFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Goby cichlid
Gobiocichla wonderiFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)30 gal (112 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Ortega's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma ortegaiFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Parilus nanochromis
Nanochromis parilusFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Blue-cheek dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma eunotusFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)