Dwarf African Cichlids
With knatural consideration for the aquarist, importers have long been looking for a fish as interesting as the average cichlid but much smaller and more peaceful. The problem was easily solved with the acquisition of the now popular South American and African dwarf cichlids. These cichlids, the Pelvicachromis, Nannacara, Microgeophagus, and Apistogramma species, are commonly offered to the aquarist. In this instance the aquarist has been able to help the ichthyologist by relaying to him his observations of the fish, because when the dwarf cichlids were first offered for sale very little was known about their breeding habits.
The main advantage the dwarfs have over their larger relatives is their temperament. No dwarf cichlid will tear up plants or attack the other fish in the community tank. Most of the dwarfs can be spawned in 5-gallon tanks, since they seldom measure more than 3 inches in length. Care of the breeding pair is the same as with the larger cichlids, with the possible exception that both parents should be separated from the eggs as soon as they spawn. The dwarf cichlids are especially fond of eating their eggs. The frequency of spawning depends upon the environment but normally should be at least once a month from April through October.
