Golden Dwarf Cichlid
Golden Dwarf Cichlid
Golden Dwarf Cichlid (Nannacara anomala) is a charming and beautiful small South American cichlid from Guyana and Suriname. Males develop stunning golden-yellow to green-gold body coloration with iridescent scale highlights — the 'golden' name is fully justified in a displaying male. Females are more cryptically colored but perform dedicated maternal care. An excellent community dwarf cichlid.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets and Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes make excellent daily staples. Supplement with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp and Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms 2–3 times per week to bring out best coloration and trigger breeding.
Native to coastal rivers and streams of Guyana and Suriname — soft, slightly acidic blackwater environments with abundant leaf litter and dense vegetation. A planted aquarium with coconut shell caves, driftwood, leaf litter, and tannin additions produces the best coloration.
Keep one male with one or two females. Males are territorial during breeding but generally peaceful with other community fish. Females perform solo maternal care — the female guards and fans eggs and fry while the male is excluded. Compatible with small, peaceful tetras and Corydoras.
The Golden Dwarf Cichlid is an excellent community dwarf cichlid — smaller and more peaceful than Apistogramma, easier to sex, and with fascinating solo maternal care behavior. The golden male coloration in a blackwater planted aquarium is genuinely beautiful.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Easy — Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful — community dwarf cichlid |
| Typical Adult Size | 3.0 inches male / 2.0 inches female |
| Min. Group Size | 1 male with 1–2 females |
| Ideal Temp | 75–82°F (24–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 2–12 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 0–6 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Micro Pellets; Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms |
| Origin | Guyana and Suriname, South America |
| Notes | Golden-yellow male coloration with iridescent highlights. Female performs solo maternal care — unusual. Peaceful community dwarf cichlid. Soft slightly acidic water. Leaf litter and caves important. |
