A pale blue male with a lemon-yellow face and a fan of a dorsal fin he raises like an umbrella when courting. Unusually for the genus it is happy in cooler water and forgiving of ordinary tap conditions.
Temperament
Common health issues
- Ich (white spot)
- Fin rot
- Swim bladder disorder
Care at a glance
- ExerciseLow
A calm, unhurried swimmer โ peaceful surroundings suit them best.
- GroomingAttentive tank care
Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
- Living spaceNano-tank friendly
Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
- Owner experienceSome experience helps
A little know-how makes life smoother.
- Commitment4โ6 years
Plan for a long, loving relationship.
Health to watch: Ich (white spot) ยท Fin rot ยท Swim bladder disorder
๐ Care guide
The Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma borellii) comes from the Paraguay and lower Paranรก basins, further south than most Apistogramma, and reaches about 6 to 7 cm for males and 4 cm for females. Males are blue-grey with a yellow head and a large rounded dorsal; females are yellow. Its southern range means it tolerates a wider temperature band than its Amazonian relatives, doing well between 20 and 26C, which suits an unheated room in a mild climate. A pair or a male with two females is comfortable in 80 litres or more, pH 6.0 to 7.5, in soft to moderately hard water, with caves, driftwood, plants and dim light. Feed frozen cyclops, daphnia, baby brine shrimp and small pellets. It is among the most peaceful and most forgiving dwarf cichlids and is the sensible first Apistogramma, tolerating a wider range of water chemistry than agassizii or cacatuoides while still preferring soft water for successful breeding. Keep it with small peaceful tetras and corydoras, and give the female a cave she can defend.
Frequently asked questions
How active is a Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid?
Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer โ peaceful surroundings suit them best.
How much maintenance does a Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid need?
Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
What tank size does a Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid need?
Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
Is a Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid a good fit for first-time owners?
Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.
How long do Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid live?
4โ6 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.
What health issues affect the Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid?
Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.
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