Apistogramma Macmasteri (Pair)

The Red Shoulder Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma macmasteri) is a stunning species with brilliant red coloration on its shoulders and a dynamic, peaceful personality. This tank-bred variety is an excellent choice for aquarists who want a vibrant, low-maintenance dwarf cichlid that thrives in community or species-specific setups. These fish are well-suited to aquascaped tanks with natural decor and offer fascinating behavior, especially during breeding. (we try our absolute best to send a true males and females, but due to the nature of Apistogrammas we can't fully guarantee the genders)

What We Love About This Fish:

• Striking Red Markings: Eye-catching red coloration across the shoulder area and upper body.

• Peaceful and Social: Ideal for community tanks with similarly peaceful tankmates.

• Easy to Care For: Hardy and adaptable to a wide range of water conditions.

• Active Behavior: Engages in interesting displays and interactions, particularly in pairs or harems.

Natural Habitat:

The Red Shoulder Dwarf Cichlid is native to slow-moving streams and tributaries in Colombia and Venezuela, part of the Orinoco River Basin. These waters are typically soft, slightly acidic, and shaded by overhanging vegetation, creating a calm, dimly lit environment with sandy or muddy substrates and plenty of leaf litter.

Breeding:

Breeding the Red Shoulder Dwarf Cichlid is straightforward in a well-prepared setup:

Provide soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6.0-7.0).

Offer small structures like Ceramic Dwarf Cichlid Breeding Huts, caves, or coconut shells for the female to lay eggs. These structures mimic their natural hiding spots and create a secure environment for spawning.

Males display vivid coloration during courtship to attract females.

After spawning, the female typically guards the eggs while the male protects the surrounding territory.

Fry can be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp or powdered fry food once they become free-swimming.

Recommended Tank Parameters:

• Temperature: 75° - 82°F (24° - 28°C)

• pH: 6.0 - 7.5

• KH: 1 - 6

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Care Guidelines:

• Diet: Feed a varied diet of live, frozen, and prepared foods to maintain health and coloration.

• Social Behavior: Best kept in pairs or harems (1 male, multiple females). Males can be territorial with other males in smaller tanks.

• Origin: Tank-bred by professional breeders, ensuring adaptability to home aquariums.

• Average Adult Size: 2.5 - 3 inches (6.5 - 7.5 cm)

• Average Purchase Size: 1.5 - 2 inches (4 - 5 cm)