Golden-eyed dwarf cichlid

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Coastal regions of Guyana and Suriname. Frequents very shallow flooded swamps, submerged meadows and very slow or stagnant streams, often covered by dense vegetation.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Goldeneye Cichlid (Nannacara anomala). South American dwarf cichlid. Robust but small, stocky and rounded head. The name "Goldeneye" derives from the constantly golden and bright iris.

Social Behavior: Sleepy and enigmatic until it is breeding. The male spends his time inspecting the bottom without disturbing anyone. In the reproductive phase, the small females undergo a draconian personality change, becoming among the fiercest fish in the world.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Accentuates dimorphism. Males (7-8 cm / 3 inches) have a bronze-green background and bright neon blue scales, with large pointed fins. Females are tiny (4 cm / 1.5 inches), anonymous and brownish... until they spawn: then they turn into a monstrous and vibrant black and cream "checkerboard pattern".

Aquarium Setup: 80 cm (32 inches) Aquarium. Very narrow caves are essential (miniature pierced coconuts, where the male CANNOT enter), tangles of Java moss and catappa leaves. Sand or fine gravel.

Diet and Feeding: Bottom micropredator. Very easy to feed, will gulp down any carnivorous micro-granule, tubifex, bloodworms and daphnia (which it hunts among the foliage with sudden snaps).

Water Quality: Very resistant compared to Apistogramma and Ramirezi. Does not require hyper-acidic water or scorching temperatures. Grows well in normal conditioned tap water, while preferring amber waters.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Perfect for peaceful community tanks (Tetras, Rasboras) but CATASTROPHIC with other dwarf cichlids or bottom fish in aquariums under a meter (40 inches) in length. The brooding female will systematically exterminate any Corydoras or her own male if he has no space to escape.

Aquarium Reproduction: Narrow cave spawners. The tiny female cleans the roof of a coconut, spawns, chases the male away and turns into a blind fury, attacking even the aquarist's hand attempting maintenance.

Risks and Diseases: Reverse uxoricide. The greatest risk in this species is that the female, once the fry are born, hunts and tears the male to pieces with bites (who is twice her size) if he cannot hide on the other side of the tank behind thick vegetation.