Warzel's Checkerboard Cichlid (Dicrossus warzeli) is a rare, wild-caught dwarf cichlid from the Rio Tapajós in Brazil, named for the German aquarist Frank Martin Warzel, who first brought it into the hobby. Instead of the usual checkerboard squares, its flanks carry three longitudinal rows of dash-like dark spots, and breeding males show a striking, pointed tail — a true collector’s fish and a different species from the more common Spadetailed and Lyretail Checkerboard Cichlids.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets and Sera Vipan Baby make excellent daily staples, but wild fish may take a few days to accept dry food, so start with live or frozen offerings. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp and Hikari Frozen Daphnia. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily.
Endemic to clearwater streams of the Rio Tapajós drainage, where the water is extremely soft and acidic and the bottom is sand covered in leaf litter. Recreate it with a fine sand substrate, scattered dried leaves, alder cones, driftwood, and dim lighting with plenty of cover. Soft, acidic, well-filtered water is essential for good color and long-term health.
Keep as a pair or a male with two or three females in a mature, peaceful tank. Males are larger and more colorful and can be territorial with each other. An open-surface and cave spawner, with the female doing most of the brood care.
A rare, wild-caught gem for the dedicated blackwater and dwarf cichlid enthusiast.
| Difficulty | Moderate — Advanced (wild-caught, needs soft acidic water) |
| Temperament | Peaceful with other species; males territorial toward each other |
| Typical Adult Size | Males to 2.75 inches (7 cm); females 1.5 inches (4 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | Pair |
| Ideal Temp | 77–84°F (25–29°C) |
| Ideal pH | 4.0–6.5 |
| Ideal GH | 0–4 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 0–2 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Micro Pellets; Sera Vipan Baby |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia |
| Origin | Rio Tapajós, Brazil (wild-caught) |
| Notes | Three rows of dash-like spots (not a square checkerboard). Wild-caught; very soft, acidic water is important. Nano-friendly. |
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