Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Nannacara anomala
Common name
Goldeneye cichlid
Dwarf golden-eyed cichlid
Lattice cichlid
Origin
Origin: South America, Guyana, Suriname
Biotope: Amazonian
Dimorphism
The male is bigger and more colourful than the female
Group
Cichlidae
Volume
120 L / 26 imp gal / 32 US gal
Parameters
T°: 23 à 28°C or 73 to 82°F
pH: 6 to 7.5
Hardness: 5 to 10°dGH
Difficulty
Easy
Size
5 to 8cm (2 to 3.2")
Longevity
3 years
Living zone
Middle and depth
Individuals
2 (couple)
Food
Food
How to feed the Nannacara anomala?
Nannacara anomala are omnivorous fish. They are not difficult to feed: they accept freeze-dried foods (granules, straws...) but you must supplement their food with vegetables and seaweed (cucumbers and Spirulina for example).
They will also appreciate prey such as Artemia, Daphnia and Mudsworms. You can opt for the living or the frozen.
Behavior
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Nannacara anomala have?
In general, the Nannacara moves near the ground. It will delimit a small territory that it will defend (it’s a cichlid after all!). Note that this behavior is particularly true in males.
The colours of the male are really beautiful and vary depending on the lighting. It goes from emerald green to hues of blue, turquoise, and with dark head and upper body.
Females are more discreet, with shades rather brown/yellow.
Cohabitation
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Nannacara anomala?
The Nannacara has a good temperament overall, you can find him roommates as part of a community aquarium. You can, for example, introduce tetras or red nose into aquariums of at least 120 liters or 26 Imp Gal or 32 US Gal. In contrast, avoid cohabitation with other dwarf cichlids, such as Aspitogramma, as they will compete for the same area of life.
Breeding
Breeding
How to breed the Nannacara anomala?
Breeding is very easily achievable in the aquarium. First, you must have a couple. The sexual dimorphism is quite obvious: the male is bigger and much more colourful than the female.
The female will be quite aggressive after the laying, it may be wise to isolate the couple in an aquarium specifically dedicated to breeding. This is not an absolute obligation, it will depend on the configuration of your community aquarium (volume, population, temperature...).
To trigger spawning, increase the temperature to 28°C or 82°F and stimulate your fish by offering fresh and varied food. The Nannacara is an oviparous that lays preferably in hiding places or on rocks. Install this type of decor to encourage spawning! The laying should not be delayed. They can be impressive with around 150 eggs sometimes.
After spawning, the female changes colour: square-shaped patterns form on its body. At the same time, it becomes aggressive against all fish in the aquarium, including the male.
The incubation lasts about 10 days, then the fry take another 5 days to swim freely. After this period, you will see the fry walk with their mother. This one is very attentive: it groups them together and protects them. A wonderful moment to watch! At this stage of breeding, the female needs space to rear its young: the larger your aquarium, the less aggressive it will be with other fish.
Fry food: they are rather autonomous to find their food. You can still give them a boost and prepare them infusoria as well as crushed flakes with your fingers.
Its aquarium
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Nannacara anomala?
An Amazonian biotope will be perfectly adapted to the way of life of the Nannacara: many plants offering shade, driftwood roots and some stones. This configuration will provide hiding places and fallback areas for your residents, which will benefit their well-being and natural behaviour. This fish does not like the current, a calm and little brewed water suits him better.
Finally, set the temperature between 24 and 28°C or 75 and 82°F.
Good To know
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Difficult to explain its colour precisely because it has the ability to vary it according to its temper. The female also changes appearance during breeding to dress its parental dress.
There are many variants like the Electric blue.
This fish is perfect for beginners because it is robust and is not particularly sensitive to the water parameters.
Yours photos!
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