Panda dwarf cichlid

A fish that lives up to its common name, you can expect the appearance of thick black blotches on the Panda, offset by a daring red streak around the edge of the tail fin. This is a species that doesn’t compromise on water chemistry, and originating from streams in the deepest, densest rainforest, it’s used to blackwater of astonishingly low pH. Crack out the leaves and the alder cones, get your water as dark as coffee, and your pandas will be anything but endangered.

6Scientific name: Apistogramma nijsseni

6Pronunciation: Ap-iss-toe-gram-ah nice-enn-ee

6Size: Males to 7.5cm, female usually to 6.5cm

6Origin: Known only from a few narrow regions of northern Peru 6Habitat: Tannin-stained blackwater rainforest streams under dense canopy 6Tank size: 90x30x30cm for a pair

6Water requirements: Very soft and acidic water; 4.0-6.0pH, 0-4°H 6Temperature: 24-28°C

6Availability and cost: Farmed fish quite common, and less demanding of water chemistry, available for around £20 a pair