Males of this very uncommon species develop distinctive sky blue coloration across the body as well as a bright red margin at the end of the tail!

The Blue Panda Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma panduro/pandurini) is a very colorful, but uncommon species of Apistogramma dwarf cichlids. Mature males develop a distinctive sky blue sheen across the entire body, yellow coloration on some fins, and a bright red margin along the end of the tail. Mature females generally have bright yellow and black coloration, but still might display the bright red coloration at the end of the tail. As with virtually all dwarf cichlids, mature males have more vivid coloration than females..

The Blue Panda Dwarf Cichlid will thrive in an aquarium with a sandy substrate and plenty of refuge such as clay pots, driftwood, and rock formations. It is an excellent candidate for the planted aquarium, but it also needs a fair amount of open space. This cichlid is generally compatible with other peaceful fish as long as it has plenty of room. Territoriality is typically at its peak during spawning. Dwarf shrimp and other small, delicate invertebrates should not be kept with the Blue Panda Dwarf Cichlid, but more durable, larger shrimp and snails could possibly make good tankmates in a large enough aquarium. If spawning is desired, tankmates of other species should be kept to a minimum or avoided altogether.

Feeding is simple for the unfussy Blue Panda Dwarf Cichlid. High-quality dry, frozen, and live meaty foods will all be readily accepted. Quality and variety are the keys to a diet that will ensure that this fish maintains optimal health and coloration.

We are currently offering juveniles of this variety. Due to their small size, they cannot be sexed reliably, so we are selling them in groups at a much lower price than is common for this species and variety.  

What We Like About This Fish:

• Beautiful coloration 
• Uncommon Apistogramma species
• Hardy with plenty of personality
• Possible to breed in the aquarium
• Compatible with many other species in a spacious tank

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:

• Temperature:  72° - 84° F (22° - 29° C)
• pH:  5.0- 7.0 for tank-raised specimens
• KH:  2 – 15 KH
• Minimum tank size:  10-15 gallons for a pair, but a larger tank is required for a group

CARE GUIDELINES:

• Diet:  Carnivorous. A variety of high-quality dry, frozen, and live meaty foods is necessary for optimal health and coloration.
• Social behavior:  Congregates loosely in groups. Males can be territorial when attempting to spawn and females are very protective of their eggs during spawning.
• Origin:  Tank-raised, but indigenous to South America
• Average adult size:  3 inches (7.5 cm) for males, 2 inches (5 cm) for females
• Average purchase size:  1 – 2 inches (2.5 – 5 cm)