For the safety of our animals, we now ship live fish exclusively via UPS Next Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS Next Day Air as a shipping option during checkout.

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.

Aquascaping:

• Plants: Best suited to tanks with plants such as Amazon Swords, Cryptocorynes, Java Ferns, and floating plants for shade.
• Hardscape: Include driftwood, leaf litter, and small caves or shelters like coconut huts for breeding or hiding.
• Botanicals: Indian Almond Leaves or alder cones can help replicate their natural habitat, releasing beneficial tannins and creating a slightly acidic environment. Botanical Combo Packs have an assortment of plants leaves that work well with breeding dwarf cichlids.

Diet and Feeding:

Red Shoulder Dwarf Cichlids are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet:

• Live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms.
• High-quality pellet or flake foods designed for cichlids.
• Occasional treats of blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach to add variety.

Tank Mates and Compatibility:

These peaceful dwarf cichlids do well in community tanks with similarly sized, non-aggressive species. Suitable tankmates include:

• Small schooling fish like neon tetras or pencilfish.
• Corydoras catfish or small plecos.
  Avoid larger or aggressive tankmates, as well as other cichlid species in smaller setups.

Not Shrimp Safe:

Not recommended for tanks with small shrimp or shrimp fry, as they may see them as food. However, they can cohabitate with adult shrimp in large, heavily planted tanks.

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)

Live Arrival Guarantee:

We guarantee live arrival for all our fish. If there are any issues, please contact us at [email protected] with photos within 2 hours of delivery, and we’ll make it right!