3 kinds · tap one for a closer look
Peaceful but males flare at each other; good with small tetras.
400 species in our list are a good match.
Peaceful but males flare at each other; good with small tetras.
Frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp, small sinking pellets and live baby brine shrimp.
Tap a food to see what it is.
Males are larger, more colourful (blue body, yellow head) and have longer fins; females are smaller and turn yellow when breeding.
Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.
Cave spawner (harem) · Moderate
Harem cave spawner: eggs are attached to the ceiling of a cave and the female cares for eggs and fry.
Keep one male with 2-4 females; each female claims a cave, pot or coconut shell.
A 40 L tank with a sponge or gentle filter, fine sand, many small caves, terracotta pots and leaf litter, with soft, slightly acidic water.
Soft, slightly acidic water, warmer temperatures, frequent water changes and live or frozen foods.
About 50-70 eggs, attached to the cave ceiling.
The female guards the wrigglers and then the free-swimming fry; feed microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp from day 4-5.
A hardy dwarf cichlid from the Paraguay basin, tolerant of a wide pH range (5.0-8.0) and cooler, subtropical temperatures. Also called the umbrella cichlid.
Regan described this species in 1906 from material collected by Alfredo Borelli. Coming from the cooler south, it tolerates lower temperatures than most Apistogramma. It is known as the umbrella or yellow dwarf cichlid.
First described by C. Tate Regan in 1906. Named for Named after Italian zoologist Alfredo Borelli, who collected in South America.
15 facts checked with sources
Valid name. Synonyms per Seriously Fish include A. aequipinnis and A. reitzigi. Often misspelled 'borelli' (as in the legacy id). The trade form A. sp. 'Opal' may or may not be conspecific (Seriously Fish).
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borellii · FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summaryLegacy has no family field; sourced value recorded.
FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summarySeriously Fish: males 6.5 cm SL, females 5.0 cm SL. Legacy 7 cm is within rounding of the male size (TL would be larger). FishBase's 3.9 cm SL is smaller.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borellii · FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summaryA subtropical species: Seriously Fish (preferred for husbandry) gives 20-26°C. Legacy 22-27 runs 1°C too warm at the top.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borellii · FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summaryLegacy 5.5-7.5 sits inside Seriously Fish's 5.0-8.0.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borellii · FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summaryLegacy has no hardness; Seriously Fish range recorded (FishBase 5-19).
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borellii · FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summarySeriously Fish: 45 x 30 x 30 cm = 40.5 L (~41 L) for a pair. FishBase suggests at least a 60 cm tank (~54 L at 60 x 30 x 30). Legacy 60 L is more generous, not unsafe.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borellii · FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summaryNo minimum number given; both sources size for a pair. Legacy breeding advice uses a harem (one male, 2-4 females).
FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summarySuitable for a peaceful community; males are territorial towards each other and brooding females defend fry.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borelliiFishBase: benthopelagic (near the bottom). No source names a mid-water zone; legacy 'm' (middle) is doubtful but unsourced either way.
FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summaryLegacy has no range field. Seriously Fish also mentions Uruguay. IUCN: Least Concern (assessed 28 October 2020, per FishBase).
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borellii · FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summaryLegacy verified in substance.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borelliiMatches legacy.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borelliiLegacy 40-80 eggs on a cave ceiling agrees with FishBase. No hatch time given.
FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summaryLegacy verified. 'Among the easier apistos' is not quoted but fits the wide tolerances. Several ornamental forms (e.g. 'Opal') are traded.
FishBase: Apistogramma borellii summary · Seriously Fish: Apistogramma borellii