Difficult
Protopterus annectens
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
£62.99
A beautifully patterned Amazonian dwarf cichlid that thrives in soft, warm, acidic water and rewards keepers with fascinating behavior and breeding ca.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Apistogramma agassizii
Save when buying multiple fish. Each quantity is one fish; sex and pair formation are not guaranteed unless the selected variant explicitly states them.
A beautifully patterned Amazonian dwarf cichlid that thrives in soft, warm, acidic water and rewards keepers with fascinating behavior and breeding ca.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
The Santarem form of Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma agassizi santarem) is a beautifully patterned Amazonian dwarf cichlid named after the Santarem region of its native range. Compact at around 3 cm and full of character, it brings the classic spade-tailed elegance of A. agassizii to a soft-water community.
This fish does best in warm, soft, gently acidic water. Target a pH of 5.5-7.0 with low hardness of 0-10 dGH, held at a steady 24-27°C, and give it a tank of at least 80 litres so a male can hold a territory without crowding its tank mates. A fine substrate with driftwood and shaded retreats lets it define its patch and bring out its colours, while broken sightlines keep its semi-aggressive streak in check.
As a carnivore it thrives on small frozen and live foods taken near the bottom, where it spends most of its time patrolling and foraging. Given the right surroundings, the Santarem is rewarding to watch and, with space and cover, displays the fascinating parental behaviour the genus is famous for. It can become territorial, so a well-considered layout helps a settled pair feel secure. Given a quiet, well-furnished aquarium it grows confident quickly, working its small territory and showing the spade-tailed finnage to full effect, while a gentle acclimatisation to your soft, acidic water helps a new fish settle without stress. Conditioned well on small meaty foods, a compatible pair will often display the absorbing parental behaviour the species is celebrated for, making it as rewarding to breed as it is to simply watch going about its day.
Suitable companions include small peaceful tetras, rasboras, corydoras catfish, otocinclus, peaceful dwarf pencilfish and non-aggressive small loricariids. Avoid large or boisterous cichlids, aggressive territorial fish, fin-nippers, large predators, fast feeders that outcompete it, and additional male Apistogramma in undersized tanks. Every Santarem ships with a licensed live-animal courier under our live arrival guarantee for safe UK delivery.
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
24–28°C · pH 8–9 · 300L
20–25°C · pH 6–7.5 · 80L
26–30°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–9 · 150L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 40L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 150L
23–27°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 80L
20–25°C · pH 6–7 · 60L
23–28°C · pH 6–7.5 · 80L