Santarém Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma agassizii)

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.

Care at a glance

• Adult size: around 3 cm
• Lifespan: up to 5 years
• Care level: moderate
• Temperament: semi-aggressive; can become territorial
• Temperature: 24-27°C
• pH: 5.5-7.0
• Hardness: 0-10 dGH
• Minimum tank: 80 litres
• Diet: carnivore
• Swimming zone: bottom

Stocking guidance

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.