Origin | South America |
Lifespan | 3-5 Years |
Behavior | Peaceful |
Care Level | Beginners |
Size | 2.6 Inches |
Temperature | 20 C- 26 C |
Hardness | Moderate |
pH | 5.8-8.0 |
Overview
Apistogramma borelli is also known as Umbrella Cichlid or Dwarf cichlid because of its tiny size. It is pretty popular among aquarists thanks to its peaceful disposition, size, and striking color. It is commonly found in the Parana River and the Paraguay River in South America, Brazil, and North Argentina.
In the Opal Apistogramma borellii natural habitat, you will find soft sandy rivers with low water currents. These rivers are generally situated in the middle of the tropical forest, thick with trees. The trees’ leaves and roots provide shelter for the fish from predators.
It thrives in slightly acidic waters thanks to the tannins present in the leaves and roots of the plants that grow in the habitat.
– Appearance
The Umbrella cichlid has its entire face and anal and pectoral fins colored in brilliant yellow, while the other parts of its body are a bright shade of silver.
The tip of the dorsal fins are brilliant yellow like the anal and pectoral fins; however, the other parts of the fin are the same brilliant silver. At the middle of its body is a black line that sometimes has a reddish hue that runs from its gills to its tail.
The Opal Apistogramma borellii has a short, stout body that makes many people mistake it for the old-world cichlid. However, its fins give it away as a South American Cichlid.
– Size
Apistogramma borellii size is quite diminutive like other dwarf cichlids. It stays relatively small and only measures about 2.6 inches at maturity.