Ashes Dwarf Cichlid

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Peru, in the Loreto region. Found in highly acidic, shaded blackwater creeks and pools containing deep leaf litter and submerged root systems.

Taxonomy and Morphology: A member of the family Cichlidae. Grows up to 6.0 cm. Named after its ash-grey lips and throat (cinilabra).

Social Behavior: Shy, territorial bottom cichlid. Best kept in established pairs. Requires abundant shelters to mitigate male aggression toward the female.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males show a grey-blue base body with dark ash-coloured lips and iridescent spots. Females are smaller, brownish-grey, and turn bright yellow when breeding.

Aquarium Setup: An 80-liter tank with fine sand, peat filtration, and dried leaves to darken the water. Provide plenty of small, narrow cave entrances for shelter.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous. Feeds almost exclusively on small live or frozen foods (brine shrimp nauplii, copepods). Dry food is generally rejected.

Water Quality: Highly sensitive. Demands acidic and extremely soft water (pH 4.0-6.5, conductivity < 80 µS/cm). Temperature should be maintained warm at 24-29 °C.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Best kept in a species-only tank or with very peaceful dither fish like pencilfish. Avoid any robust or active bottom dwellers.

Aquarium Breeding: Cave spawner. Extremely difficult to breed; requires a very low pH (< 5.0) and virtually zero hardness for successful egg hatching.

Risks and Diseases: High susceptibility to bacterial infections and egg mold if water parameters fluctuate or organic waste levels increase.