Umbrella cichlid
Apistogramma borellii
Parameter dashboard
20-26 °C
6-8
6.5 cm
5 years
Care guide
Apistogramma borellii, known as the umbrella or yellow dwarf cichlid, comes from the cooler, subtropical reaches of the Paraguay and Parana river systems in southern South America. This southern origin sets it apart from most dwarf cichlids, because it tolerates and even prefers cooler water and can be kept without a heater in a temperate room. Males reach about 6.5 cm with a pale blue body and yellow throat, while females are smaller and plainer outside of breeding.
It is among the most peaceable members of its genus and one of the easier dwarf cichlids to start with. A single pair holds a small territory near the substrate and rarely troubles tankmates, which makes it a good fit for a soft-water community with rasboras, small tetras, or pencilfish. Two males will spar, so give them space and visual barriers if you keep more than one. Like its relatives it is primarily carnivorous, feeding on worms, small crustaceans, and insect larvae, so a rotation of live and frozen foods alongside a good dried staple keeps colour and condition up.
A planted tank from 60 litres with a temperature of 20 to 26 degrees Celsius, soft water, and a few caves or coconut shelters covers its needs. Borelli's dwarf cichlid is a cave spawner that forms pairs rather than large harems, and the female tends the eggs and guards the fry closely once they are free-swimming. Because the parents care for the brood, a settled pair in a quiet tank will often produce young without any special effort, and the cooler tolerance makes this a forgiving first cichlid for a planted community.
Sources
- seriouslyfish.com — https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/apistogramma-borellii/
- fishbase.se — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Apistogramma-borellii.html
Further reading on identification and aquarium care.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (12)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biajaca Nandopsis tetracanthus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Blue acara Andinoacara pulcher Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Bluegray mbuna Melanochromis johannii Caution | Caution | close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Bolivian Ram Mikrogeophagus altispinosus Caution | Caution | close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Fasciatus Shell Dweller Altolamprologus fasciatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold severum Heros efasciatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Mendezs Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma mendezi Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Princess of Burundi Neolamprologus brichardi Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Rainbow krib Pelvicachromis pulcher Caution | Caution | close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Red Spotted Severum Heros efasciatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Temporaris Shell Dweller Telmatochromis temporalis Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Panda Uaru Uaru fernandezyepezi Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
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