Sabina's dwarf cichlid
Congochromis sabinae
Also known as Orange congochromis
FreshwaterFish
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
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Central Congo basin
Overview
Sabina's dwarf cichlid is a secretive little cichlid for a small, dimly lit blackwater tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
Sabina's dwarf cichlid carries the name of Lamboj's daughter, Sabina. He named the species after her.
Caring for the Sabina's dwarf cichlid
Keep a pair of Sabina's dwarf cichlids in at least 20 gal (75 L). Cover the floor with leaf litter, and add wood and several caves. Keep the lighting low and the water stained with tannins, since that brings them out and brings up their color.
Give them soft, acidic water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 6.8. Feed small live and frozen foods, and expect them to ignore dry food at first.
They are secretive and spend most of their time picking through the litter, out of sight. They are mostly peaceful, but choose tank mates with caution.
A pair spawns in a cave and turns briefly territorial. Females flush red on the belly in breeding condition. Breeding is moderately difficult.
Good to know
Congochromis sabinae is a dwarf cichlid in the family Cichlidae, also known as the orange congochromis. The form usually traded carries a warm orange over the flanks, like embers against dark leaf litter. The genus was split from Nanochromis in 2007, so older references file this group under that name.
In the wild
Sabina's dwarf cichlid 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.
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 does a Sabina's dwarf cichlid need?
A Sabina's dwarf cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.8.
What does a Sabina's dwarf cichlid eat?
Sabina's dwarf cichlids eat small live and frozen foods. Expect them to ignore dry food at first.
How big does a Sabina's dwarf cichlid get?
An adult Sabina's dwarf cichlid reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).
How can you tell a male Sabina's dwarf cichlid from a female?
Sabina's dwarf cichlid females flush red on the belly when they are in breeding condition.
How does a Sabina's dwarf cichlid breed?
Sabina's dwarf cichlids spawn in a cave, and the pair turns briefly territorial. Breeding them is moderately difficult.
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