Moderate / experienced
Large-Spot Synodontis (Synodontis ocellifer)
22–28°C · 350L
£20.99
A colourful Red Gold form of Apistogramma hongsloi for warm, soft-water planted aquariums with caves, leaf litter and calm tank mates.
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. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Apistogramma hongsloi
Apistogramma hongsloi Red Gold Dwarf Cichlid bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
A colourful Red Gold form of Apistogramma hongsloi for warm, soft-water planted aquariums with caves, leaf litter and calm tank mates.
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. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
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
Apistogramma hongsloi Red Gold is a colourful line of Hongsloi Dwarf Cichlid, selected for warm red, orange and gold colour across the body and fins. It is a small South American dwarf cichlid with a big display presence, especially in planted aquariums with leaf litter, wood, caves and calm tank mates.
This listing covers the Red Gold size variants on the same Shopify product. The `N329` variant is the larger 4-5 cm option, while `N328` is the smaller 3-4 cm option. Both should be planned as the same species and colour form: choose the larger fish when you want quicker display impact, and choose the smaller fish when you want to grow them into a carefully planned dwarf-cichlid aquarium.
| Trade name | Apistogramma hongsloi Red Gold, Hongsloi Dwarf Cichlid Red Gold |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Apistogramma hongsloi |
| Adult size | Usually around 6-8 cm, with males larger and more colourful |
| Temperament | Peaceful for a cichlid, territorial when breeding |
| Best aquarium style | Soft-water planted aquarium with caves, leaf litter and calm companions |
The old page had useful species notes but was too short for a fish with this level of care detail. It also pushed sales phrases into the title, meta text and image fields, which made the listing feel less natural. This repair keeps the real product identity, expands the care guidance, adds better visual structure, and uses search terms naturally: Apistogramma hongsloi, Red Gold dwarf cichlid, hongsloi apisto, soft-water dwarf cichlid, tank mates, planted aquarium and breeding caves.
FishBase places Apistogramma hongsloi in the Orinoco system, including the Vichada River drainage, middle Meta River drainage and middle Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela. That habitat context is important for aquarium care: this is a bottom-associated dwarf cichlid from warm, soft, acidic freshwater, not a hard-water Central American cichlid.
In the aquarium, aim to copy the structure rather than making a sterile display. Fine sand, leaf litter, driftwood, shaded plants, botanicals and small caves all help the fish behave naturally. Males show best when they feel secure, and females need defendable cave spaces if they come into breeding condition.
Captive-raised Red Gold fish are usually more adaptable than wild fish, but they still look and behave best in clean, warm, softer water. Stability is more important than sudden chemical adjustment. If your tap water is hard, use gradual changes and test before trying to breed them.
| Parameter | Target range | Care note |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 24-28°C | Warm, stable water supports colour and activity |
| pH | 5.5-7.0 | Slightly acidic to neutral is safest for most captive fish |
| Hardness | Soft to moderately soft | Lower mineral content is preferred, especially for breeding |
| Flow | Gentle to moderate | Avoid blasting them around the lower levels |
| Water quality | Ammonia/nitrite zero | Small cichlids still need mature filtration and regular changes |
A pair can work in a carefully arranged aquarium from around 60 litres, but a wider 75-120 litre tank is easier and more forgiving, especially in a community setup. Floor area matters because Apistogramma live and breed close to the bottom. A long tank with clear territories is more useful than a tall narrow aquarium with the same litre count.
| Setup element | Recommended choice | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Substrate | Fine sand | Supports natural browsing and looks close to dwarf-cichlid habitat |
| Caves | Coconut shells, small ceramic caves, wood gaps | Females need secure spawning and retreat sites |
| Plants | Cryptocoryne, Java fern, Anubias, floating plants | Creates shade and calmer sight lines |
| Botanicals | Catappa leaves, alder cones, leaf litter | Encourages a soft-water feel and natural cover |
| Open sand | Leave some visible floor area | Gives the fish space to display and feed |
Red Gold males develop the strongest warm colour, with red-orange markings, yellow-gold body tones and extended fin detail as they settle. Females are usually smaller and more yellow, especially when guarding a cave or brood. Young fish may arrive less intense than adult display photos; colour improves with security, clean water, a varied diet and time.
Do not judge a newly arrived Apistogramma too quickly. Transport, a new territory and bright shop-style lighting can mute the colour for a short period. A settled male in a planted, shaded aquarium usually looks far better than a stressed fish in a bare tank.
Feed small foods that match the mouth size. Good staples include quality micro pellets, fine cichlid granules and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops and bloodworm. Live foods can be useful for conditioning, but keep hygiene high and avoid overfeeding.
| Food type | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Micro pellets | Daily staple | Choose small sinking or slow-sinking foods |
| Frozen brine shrimp/daphnia | Variety and conditioning | Rinse where appropriate and feed modest portions |
| Bloodworm | Occasional rich food | Useful, but do not make it the only food |
| Live foods | Breeding condition | Best from clean, trusted sources |
Good tank mates are calm, small to medium fish that stay mostly away from the caves. Pencilfish, small tetras, Otocinclus, peaceful Corydoras and some small rasboras can work well. Avoid large cichlids, fin nippers, boisterous barbs and other male Apistogramma unless the aquarium is large and structured enough for separate territories.
| Usually suitable | Use caution | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Pencilfish, small tetras, Otocinclus, peaceful Corydoras | Other dwarf cichlids, shrimp, very tiny fry-sized fish | Large cichlids, aggressive barbs, fin nippers, extra Apistogramma males in small tanks |
Like many Apistogramma, this species is a cave-oriented spawner. Females may become bright yellow and more defensive when guarding eggs or fry. If breeding is the goal, provide several caves, very clean soft water, calm surroundings and small foods for conditioning. In a small tank, the female may push the male away from the brood area, so be ready to separate fish if pressure becomes too high.
Use the live size selector to choose the available variant before checkout. After arrival, dim the lights, acclimate gradually and let the fish settle before feeding heavily. Offer a small meal once it is exploring. Tropical Fish Co packs livestock for specialist courier movement, and the Live Arrival Guarantee gives reassurance when the delivery instructions are followed. First-time customers can use WELCOME10 where eligible.
This is a strong choice for aquarists who want a colourful dwarf cichlid for a planted South American-style aquarium. It is not a rough community fish and should not be dropped into an aggressive mixed-cichlid tank. Give it soft water, cover and peaceful companions and it becomes a small centrepiece with a lot of behaviour.
No. Red Gold is a colour form or trade line of Apistogramma hongsloi, selected for warmer red and gold colour.
Yes, a pair can work if the aquarium has enough floor space and more than one cave. A trio can also work in a larger, well-structured aquarium.
Very soft acidic water is best for breeding, but captive-raised fish usually keep well in stable slightly acidic to neutral water. Avoid sudden changes.
They may eat small shrimp or shrimplets. Adult shrimp may survive in planted tanks, but shrimp are not the safest companions if you want predictable results.
For care cross-checking, compare FishBase for the species range and water data, Fishipedia for community-volume and compatibility caution, and broader Apistogramma husbandry guidance from Aquarium Co-Op and specialist dwarf-cichlid resources. The consistent advice is simple: warm soft water, cover, caves, small foods, calm companions and stable maintenance.
22–28°C · 350L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 200L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 150L
23–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 300L
23–28°C · pH 7.8–8.5 · 150L
21–24°C · pH 6–7.4 · 25L
21–25°C · pH 5.8–7.2 · 40L
22–25°C · pH 5.8–7.2 · 40L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L