Easiest/Hardiest SA Dwarf Cichlids?

[NW Cichlid Keith]

I'm interested in trying some dwarfs from SA or CA (if there are any). I'm not looking for smaller fish, like HRPs or Rainbows, but what would truly be considered a dwarf. I have Electric Blue Acara's, but am looking for something smaller. I have Keyholes as well, and love those - would likely want something smaller than them as well. So far, the ones I'm considering are:

Laetacara Curviceps
Laetacara Dorsigera
Nannacara Anomala

Are there any others I should be considering, and your thoughts on them? I have too many tanks, so don't want anything that I have to baby too much, other than regular water changes. My water out of the tap is neutral. In the tanks that I don't add aragonite, it is slightly acidic and I can add as much driftwood as needed to keep it lower.

FYI - I already have Multis from Africa and am planning on getting some Taeniatus, so really want to focus on SA/CA.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[tlindsey]

I'm interested in trying some dwarfs from SA or CA (if there are any). I'm not looking for smaller fish, like HRPs or Rainbows, but what would truly be considered a dwarf. I have Electric Blue Acara's, but am looking for something smaller. I have Keyholes as well, and love those - would likely want something smaller than them as well. So far, the ones I'm considering are:

Laetacara Curviceps
Laetacara Dorsigera
Nannacara Anomala

Are there any others I should be considering, and your thoughts on them? I have too many tanks, so don't want anything that I have to baby too much, other than regular water changes. My water out of the tap is neutral. In the tanks that I don't add aragonite, it is slightly acidic and I can add as much driftwood as needed to keep it lower.

FYI - I already have Multis from Africa and am planning on getting some Taeniatus, so really want to focus on SA/CA.

Thanks for any advice!

Bolivian Rams are very hardy.

 

[dan518]

Most commonly available commercial apistogramma, Mikrogeophagus, nannoacara laetacara spp should do well given good water quality and some tannins. Wild caught or the rarer spp maybe a bit more challenging.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Also, I am considering a few

Bolivian Rams are very hardy.

Do these guys do well as a pair? I've heard to keep them in large groups before.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Also, I am considering a few

Do these guys do well as a pair? I've heard to keep them in large groups before.

Pairs seem to do OK on their own but they are much more interesting in groups.
They live in groups in the wild. I have a group of 11 and find them very entertaining.
Have you considered apistogramma species like borelli? They are Hardy and attractive.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Pairs seem to do OK on their own but they are much more interesting in groups.
They live in groups in the wild. I have a group of 11 and find them very entertaining.
Have you considered apistogramma species like borelli? They are Hardy and attractive.

I’ve thought about Borelli - just how hardy are they? It would be a species only tank with mid to low PH. Or I could do a room temp tan with white clouds, since the both seem to prefer cool water. But The tank I’d put them in has decent flow - will they be ok with that? There are a bunch of plants for breaks and caves as well. Also, from what I’ve read, the three I list above are much hardier tan Borelli - do you find that not to be the case?

 

[darth pike]

I've always enjoyed my Laetacara species. Just an FYI, most of the ones sold as curviceps in the US are actually dorsigera. L. araguaiae are stunningly beautiful.

Borelli rank up there with Cacatuoides as one of the most hardy apistos. If you want one of the pairing species rather than the harem, the Panduro group also work.

Without knowing the size of the tank, if you want something interesting I'd suggest dwarf pikes. Some get keyhole size, but others stay smaller. They are usually seasonal though.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

I've always enjoyed my Laetacara species. Just an FYI, most of the ones sold as curviceps in the US are actually dorsigera. L. araguaiae are stunningly beautiful.

Borelli rank up there with Cacatuoides as one of the most hardy apistos. If you want one of the pairing species rather than the harem, the Panduro group also work.

Without knowing the size of the tank, if you want something interesting I'd suggest dwarf pikes. Some get keyhole size, but others stay smaller. They are usually seasonal though.

View attachment 1337013

Thanks - I have tanks from 15 to 58 that I can free up. Rapps has some Curviceps right now, so those should be as advertised - that is the only Laetacara that I can find for sale right now.

 

[decoy50]

I see Laetacara on Aquabid fairly frequently- although I just looked and only saw curviceps. I'm pretty sure Rapps had Dorsigera on his list within the past couple weeks too. Always really liked the Laetacaras but have never kept one. Gotta get on that!

 

[ryansmith83]

Jeff Michels at Aquatic Clarity has wild dorsigera. I have a box coming from him today.

If you want hardy, go with Laetacara. Since they’re essentially dwarf acaras they are very similar in behavior and requirements to your electric blues. Clean water and good food is all you need. Their spawning colors are beautiful and they’re chunky, feisty little fish. Don’t keep them in pairs — like most acaras, males can easily turn on females if there’s a disagreement. I had that happen with two separate pairs so now I only keep them in groups of 4 or more.