A striking dwarf cichlid native to the Orinoco River basin in South America. They are popular for their vivid red, yellow, and blue colors. Best kept in blackwater setups with soft, acidic water and plenty of leaf litter. They form harems and require sand substrate, as they sift sand through their gills to find food.
Hongsloi Apistogramma At a Glance
Hongsloi Apistogramma Tank Requirements
Will Hongsloi Apistogramma fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Hongsloi Apistogramma needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Hongsloi Apistogramma against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
Useful setup supplies
We may earn from qualifying purchases
Hongsloi Apistogramma Water Parameters
Water care products
We may earn from qualifying purchases
Hongsloi Apistogramma Temperament & Compatibility
Hongsloi Apistogramma Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Male (Standard / Color Morphs)
Males are larger, display spectacular finnage, and carry vivid red, blue, and yellow colors depending on the line-bred morph. Highly territorial toward other males. Keep one male per tank unless the aquarium is extremely large (120cm+) with broken sightlines.
Differs in 3 traits from base species
Also known as: Male, Super Red, Rotstrich, Gold
Female
Noticeably smaller and predominantly yellow/brown, transforming into a brilliant lemon yellow with black striking patterns when ready to breed. Fiercely aggressive when defending their cave and fry.
Differs in 3 traits from base species
Also known as: Female
Hongsloi Apistogramma Care Guide Summary
The Hongsloi Apistogramma, scientifically known as Apistogramma hongsloi, belongs to the Cichlids - South American family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 6 cm and have a compressed body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as semi-aggressive, this species primarily occupies the bottom and mid-level zones of the aquarium and produces a high level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Hongsloi Apistogramma requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 24°C and 29°C, with a pH range of 5.5–7 and a general hardness of 1–8 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Due to its specialist needs, the Hongsloi Apistogramma is best suited for fishkeepers who can provide a carefully planned setup. This species is available in 2 varieties: Male (Standard / Color Morphs) and Female. Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Hongsloi Apistogramma Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Hongsloi Apistogramma, a low water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the bottom and mid-level zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement and sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include a sand substrate to accommodate their sifting behaviour, driftwood, which can serve as both a hiding place and a dietary supplement, leaf litter or blackwater tannins to replicate their natural soft-water habitat, and dense planting to provide cover, break sightlines, and reduce stress. Keepers should note that expect substrate disturbance, so lightweight décor should be secured.
Hongsloi Apistogramma Compatibility Notes
Classified as semi-aggressive, the Hongsloi Apistogramma is adaptable and can be kept singly or in a small group, offering flexibility when planning a community tank. When choosing tankmates, ornamental shrimp are not safe companions, conspecific aggression can be intense, especially in smaller tanks, territorial behaviour may cause issues if hiding spots or floor space are limited, and boisterous or fast-moving tankmates may cause this species undue stress. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the bottom and mid-level zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Hongsloi Apistogramma Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Hongsloi Apistogramma.
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
40 Gallon Breeder
Show 19 more tank sizes
Hongsloi Apistogramma Feeding & Diet Considerations
The Hongsloi Apistogramma will hunt and eat ornamental shrimp, making it unsuitable for shrimp-focused setups and will eat fry, so breeding efforts in the same tank are unlikely to succeed.
Feeding products
We may earn from qualifying purchases
.webp?2026-04-25T14%3A35%3A38.022Z)
Frequently Asked Questions About Hongsloi Apistogramma
How big does Hongsloi Apistogramma get?
Hongsloi Apistogramma (Apistogramma hongsloi) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 6 cm. They have a compressed body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Hongsloi Apistogramma need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Hongsloi Apistogramma. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Hongsloi Apistogramma need?
Hongsloi Apistogramma thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 24–29°C, a pH between 5.5 and 7, and a general hardness of 1–8 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Is Hongsloi Apistogramma peaceful or aggressive?
Hongsloi Apistogramma is classified as semi-aggressive with an aggression score of 5 out of 10. They can work in community setups but may clash with certain tankmates.
Can Hongsloi Apistogramma live alone?
Yes, Hongsloi Apistogramma can be kept singly or in a group. They are flexible and adapt well to both setups.
Is Hongsloi Apistogramma safe with shrimp?
No. Hongsloi Apistogramma is known to eat ornamental shrimp and is not recommended for shrimp tanks. Even larger shrimp species like Amano Shrimp may be at risk.
Does Hongsloi Apistogramma have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Hongsloi Apistogramma benefits from sand (sifters), leaf litter/blackwater, driftwood (digestion/hiding), and plants - densely covered in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Plants That Suit Hongsloi Apistogramma
These plants pair well with Hongsloi Apistogramma based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Amazon Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum
Asian Watergrass
Hygroryza aristata
Asian Watermoss
Salvinia cucullata
Carolina Mosquito Fern
Azolla caroliniana
Common Duckweed
Lemna minor
Crystalwort
Riccia fluitans
Fish Similar to Hongsloi Apistogramma
Banded Apistogramma
Apistogramma bitaeniata
A stunning South American dwarf cichlid native to the blackwater streams of the Amazon basin. Known for their distinct dual lateral stripes, they are a bottom-dwelling species that requires soft, acidic water, sandy substrate, and complex environments with caves or leaf litter. They are generally peaceful in a community tank but highly territorial towards other bottom-dwellers, especially when breeding.
Three-striped Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma trifasciata
A stunning dwarf cichlid native to the Guaporé and Paraguay river basins in South America. They are renowned for their striking metallic blue sheen and the male's spectacular sail-like dorsal fin. As peaceful micropredators, they are excellent for planted community tanks, but require soft, acidic water, stable parameters, and a fine sand substrate to sift through.
Apistogramma atahualpa
Apistogramma atahualpa
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
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 Orange-tail
Apistogramma cf. eunotus "Orange-tail"
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 uaupesi
Apistogramma uaupesi
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.