Cichlids - South American

Explore all cichlids - south american in our database. Browse detailed care guides, compatibility information, and species data to find the perfect fish for your aquarium.

Showing 1 - 24 of 67 Fish Profiles

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera

Aequidens sp. 'Jenaro Herrera'

18 cm Semi-Aggressive

An undescribed and beautifully colored South American cichlid hailing from the Peruvian Amazon (Rio Itaya/Ucayali drainages). Often confused in the trade with Aequidens diadema, this species features an attractive green-gold metallic sheen and reddish fins as it matures. They are relatively peaceful for mid-sized cichlids but will aggressively defend their territory during spawning and are capable predators of small fish.

Aequidens diadema (Diadem Cichlid)

Aequidens diadema

Cichlids - South American

15 cm Semi-Aggressive

A medium-sized, semi-aggressive South American cichlid native to the slow-moving rivers and blackwater streams of the Amazon basin. Known for their striking colors and strong personalities, they are omnivorous with a carnivorous tendency. Like many cichlids, they are notorious for digging and rearranging their habitat. They do well in large community tanks with appropriately sized tank mates but are fiercely intolerant of their own kind.

Aequidens sp. Atabapo

Cichlids - South American

15 cm Semi-Aggressive

A rare, undescribed species of Acara native to the blackwater Rio Atabapo in South America. They are characterized by small spots on the head and a typical robust, deep Aequidens body. Like other Acaras, they are moderately aggressive (especially when breeding) and thrive in very soft, warm, acidic water with sandy substrates and leaf litter.

Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii

Cichlids - South American

7.5 cm Semi-Aggressive

A stunning South American dwarf cichlid known for its distinct spade-shaped tail and brilliant color morphs. They are bottom-dwelling micro-predators that sift sand for food. While generally peaceful in community tanks, they are highly territorial when breeding. They thrive in soft, acidic blackwater conditions.

Altifrons Eartheater

Geophagus altifrons

Cichlids - South American

25 cm Mostly Peaceful

The Altifrons Eartheater is a large, graceful South American cichlid famous for its benthophagous feeding behavior. It constantly takes mouthfuls of sand, sifting it through its gills to extract small food particles. This natural behavior requires a fine sand substrate to prevent gill damage. While generally peaceful and best kept in groups, their constant digging will uproot most planted vegetation.

Altum Angel

Pterophyllum altum

Cichlids - South American

20 cm Semi-Aggressive

The True Altum Angelfish is the 'holy grail' of freshwater angelfish. Native to the Orinoco river basin, they are known for their extreme vertical height (often exceeding 35cm/14 inches), striking vertical bars, and notched upper snout. They are true blackwater fish requiring highly acidic, warm, pristine water, and very tall aquariums. They are predatory toward small fish like neon tetras.

Andinoacara sp. Gold Saum

Andinoacara sp. "Gold Saum"

Cichlids - South American

25 cm Aggressive

Commonly sold in the aquarium trade as the 'Green Terror', the Gold Saum (technically Andinoacara rivulatus) is a stunning but highly aggressive Neotropical cichlid. Males develop magnificent iridescent scales, orange/gold-edged fins, and a pronounced nuchal hump. Due to their territorial nature and large adult size, they are best kept as solitary centerpiece fish or with highly robust, similarly-sized tank mates. They are avid diggers and will uproot or destroy most live plants.

Apistogramma Black-Chin

Apistogramma allpahuayo

Cichlids - South American

7 cm Semi-Aggressive

A stunning dwarf cichlid from the blackwaters of Peru, formerly known as Apistogramma sp. 'Black-Chin' until it was scientifically described as A. allpahuayo in 2012. It is famous for the male's distinct pitch-black chin and its unique ability among Apistogrammas to undergo functional sex change (a female can morph into a functional male if the dominant male dies). They are harem breeders that require pristine, highly acidic water with leaf litter and a sandy substrate.

Apistogramma Broad-banded

Apistogramma breitbinden

Cichlids - South American

7.5 cm Semi-Aggressive

A stunning South American dwarf cichlid from the upper Orinoco basin, formally described in 2011 as Apistogramma megaptera. They are named for the broad, dark band extending across their face. As a blackwater species, they demand warm, soft, highly acidic water to thrive. While generally peaceful in a community setting, they are fiercely territorial substrate-spawners.

Apistogramma Mamoré

Apistogramma erythrura

Cichlids - South American

6 cm Mostly Peaceful

Formally described as Apistogramma erythrura in 2008, this species was heavily traded for years under the name Apistogramma sp. 'Mamoré'. Native to the Mamoré River basin in Bolivia, they are highly sought after for the adult male's vibrant red caudal fin and elongated finnage. As benthophagous cichlids, they require a soft, sandy substrate to sift through, along with ample visual barriers like leaf litter and driftwood to feel secure.

Apistogramma Marmor (Marbled Apisto)

Apistogramma erythrura

Cichlids - South American

7.5 cm Mostly Peaceful

The Marbled Apisto is a beautiful, diminutive South American dwarf cichlid. Like most Apistogramma species, they are bottom-dwelling micropredators that naturally sift through fine sand and leaf litter for food. They require soft, acidic water, gentle flow, and plenty of visual barriers like driftwood and caves to feel secure. As harem breeders, a typical setup includes one male and several females.

Apistogramma Mouthbrooder (Maulbrüter)

Apistogramma barlowi

Cichlids - South American

7.5 cm Semi-Aggressive

Formally described as Apistogramma barlowi, this species is highly unique among Apistogramma. Unlike its cousins who are strict cave-spawners, the Maulbrüter is a facultative larvophilous mouthbrooder. They spawn in caves, but once the eggs hatch, the female (and occasionally the male) will gather the larvae in their mouths to protect them. They require soft, acidic blackwater conditions and sandy substrate.

Apistogramma Orange-tail

Apistogramma cf. eunotus "Orange-tail"

Cichlids - South American

7.5 cm Semi-Aggressive

A beautiful South American dwarf cichlid known for its personality and stunning coloration. They are micropredators that naturally inhabit slow-moving tributaries with sandy bottoms and leaf litter. While generally peaceful towards non-cichlid tank mates (like tetras and pencilfish), they are highly territorial among their own kind and will readily hunt dwarf shrimp.

Apistogramma Parrot

Apistogramma sp. "Parrot"

Cichlids - South American

7.5 cm Semi-Aggressive

Apistogramma sp. 'Parrot' (often traded under its German name, 'Papagei') is a beautiful South American dwarf cichlid from the Peruvian Amazon. Like most Apistogrammas, they are bottom-dwelling micropredators that thrive in soft, slightly acidic water with a sandy substrate and leaf litter. Males are highly colorful and territorial, while females are smaller and turn an intense, warning yellow during breeding.

Apistogramma Resticulosa Mamor

Apistogramma cf. resticulosa Mamor

Cichlids - South American

4.5 cm Mostly Peaceful

The Apistogramma cf. resticulosa 'Mamor' is a peaceful but territorial dwarf cichlid originating from the Mamoré River basin in South America. Known as the 'Thin-line Dwarf Cichlid', they require soft, sandy substrates for sifting and complex environments with driftwood and leaf litter to establish territories. While generally peaceful in community tanks, they become highly aggressive during spawning and will hunt dwarf shrimp.

Apistogramma Resticulosa Marmor

Apistogramma cf. resticulosa "Marmor"

Cichlids - South American

6 cm Mostly Peaceful

A striking, small South American dwarf cichlid originating from the Rio Mamoré basin. The 'Marmor' (marbled) variant is highly sought after for its metallic colors. They are peaceful community fish but become highly territorial when breeding. They require a soft, sandy substrate which they sift for food, and thrive in soft, acidic water with plenty of cover.

Apistogramma atahualpa

Cichlids - South American

7 cm Mostly Peaceful

A striking dwarf cichlid native to the blackwater streams of the Peruvian Amazon (Rio Nanay basin). They require soft, acidic water and a sandy substrate, as they naturally sift sand for food. While generally peaceful in community tanks, they become highly territorial during breeding. Leaf litter and driftwood are essential to mimic their natural habitat.

Apistogramma baenschi (Inca 50)

Apistogramma baenschi

Cichlids - South American

5.5 cm Semi-Aggressive

A striking South American dwarf cichlid native to Peru. Males boast a dramatically high, sail-like dorsal fin and vibrant blue/yellow coloration. They are cave spawners that require soft, acidic water and a sand substrate for their natural earth-sifting behaviors.

Apistogramma borellii (Umbrella Cichlid)

Apistogramma borellii

Cichlids - South American

7 cm Mostly Peaceful

A hardy and relatively peaceful dwarf cichlid native to the Paraguay River basin. Uniquely among Apistogramma, they tolerate cooler (sub-tropical) water temperatures. They are excellent for planted community tanks but require sandy substrates to sift and leaf litter or caves to establish territories.

Apistogramma elizabethae

Cichlids - South American

5.5 cm Semi-Aggressive

A rare and highly sought-after dwarf cichlid native to the extremely acidic blackwaters of the Rio Uaupés basin in Brazil. Known for its spectacular finnage and sensitivity to water parameters. They require pristine, very soft, and acidic water, alongside a fine sand substrate for sifting.

Apistogramma macmasteri

Cichlids - South American

8 cm Semi-Aggressive

A stunning, brightly colored dwarf cichlid native to the Meta River basin in Colombia. They are intelligent, sand-sifting micropredators that form complex social hierarchies. While relatively peaceful in a community setting, they become fiercely territorial during breeding. Soft, sandy substrate is strictly required for their gill-sifting feeding behavior.

Apistogramma panduro

Cichlids - South American

7 cm Semi-Aggressive

A stunning and personality-filled dwarf cichlid from the blackwaters of Peru. Unlike many other Apistogramma species that form harems, A. panduro forms strong, monogamous pair bonds. They are heavily sexually dimorphic and require soft, acidic water, sandy substrate for sifting, and plenty of visual barriers like driftwood and leaf litter.

Apistogramma uaupesi

Cichlids - South American

6 cm Semi-Aggressive

A stunning and rare dwarf cichlid native to the blackwater Rio Uaupés basin in South America. They are strictly blackwater fish, requiring very soft, acidic water and dim lighting to thrive. Males are famous for their spectacular, sail-like dorsal fins and lyretails. Like most Apistogramma, they are harem breeders and require complex environments with sightline breaks.

Apistogramma viejita

Cichlids - South American

7 cm Semi-Aggressive

A striking South American dwarf cichlid native to the Orinoco River basin. True A. viejita are extremely rare in the hobby; most sold under this name are A. macmasteri or hybrids. They are substrate-sifters that absolutely require sand to prevent gill damage. While generally peaceful in a community setting, they become fiercely territorial during breeding.