Goldenhead dwarf cichlid
Nannacara aureocephalus
A captivating dwarf cichlid from French Guiana, recognized by the adult male's spectacular golden head. It prefers densely planted, soft blackwater setups with gentle, peaceful tankmates.
Water Temperature
23 - 27 °C
pH Value
5.5 - 7
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
10 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 80 L
Minimum group
>= 2
GH
2 - 8 dGH
KH
1 - 4 dKH
TDS
40 - 160 ppm
Conductivity
63 - 250 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is native to South America, specifically restricted to the river basins of French Guiana. It inhabits slow-moving coastal streams, forest creeks, marshes, and flooded areas characterized by dark, soft, and acidic blackwater. It lives among leaf litter and fallen branches that provide safety and microfauna.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Cichlidae and the genus Nannacara. It is a classic dwarf cichlid: adult males reach a maximum length of 7 to 8 centimeters, whereas females remain significantly smaller, reaching only 4 to 5 centimeters. The body is robust, laterally compressed, with well-developed dorsal and anal fins.
Social Behavior: Generally peaceful and calm, making it ideal for dedicated aquariums. However, during the breeding season, males become highly territorial. Females exhibit exceptional maternal aggression while caring for the brood, fiercely defending the nest against all intruders, including the father, who is often driven away.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is highly pronounced. Adult males feature a spectacular golden-yellow coloration on the head and chest, with iridescent blue-green body scales and red-edged fins. Females are smaller, sporting a modest beige-brown coloration that turns into a high-contrast black and yellow barred pattern during brood care.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Requires an aquarium of at least 80 liters for a single pair. The tank should be densely planted and contain plenty of driftwood, roots, and dried leaves (such as beech or oak) to replicate their native blackwater habitat. Provide caves like coconut shells or small clay pots to serve as nesting sites.
Diet and Feeding: An omnivore with a strong preference for live and frozen animal-based foods. In captivity, they should be fed daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and tubifex. They will accept high-quality sinking dry pellets, but a fresh or frozen diet is essential to trigger breeding behavior and maintain health.
Water Quality: Demands soft, acidic water conditions. The optimal pH range is between 5.5 and 6.8, with very low general hardness (GH 2-10 dGH). Keep the water temperature stable between 22 and 26 °C. Pristine water is critical; perform regular water changes and use gentle filtration, preferably filtering over peat to release beneficial humic acids.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent tankmate for small characins (tetras), pencilfish, Corydoras, and other peaceful midwater and bottom-dwelling species. Avoid housing them with large, aggressive cichlids or highly active fish that might outcompete them. In smaller tanks, keep only a single pair to avoid fatal fights.
Aquarium Breeding: A cave spawner. The female deposits eggs inside a cave or under a broad leaf and takes sole responsibility for guarding the nest, driving the male away. Eggs hatch in 2 to 3 days, and the free-swimming fry should be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp nauplii under the mother's supervision.
Risks and Diseases: Highly sensitive to elevated nitrate levels and organic pollution, which can lead to Hole-in-the-Head disease (Hexamita) and bacterial fin rot. Requires consistent water parameter monitoring. Avoid sudden changes in pH during water changes, as they are very sensitive to osmotic shocks.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species is native to South America, specifically restricted to the river basins of French Guiana. It inhabits slow-moving coastal streams, forest creeks, marshes, and flooded areas characterized by dark, soft, and acidic blackwater. It lives among leaf litter and fallen branches that provide safety and microfauna.
Origin
Extra-Amazon South America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Territorial
- Overall, they exhibit a peaceful demeanor towards other species, but they are known to be territorial among their own kind. During the breeding season, both sexes become fiercely protective of their spawning sites and fry, potentially showing aggression to any intruders. Outside of breeding, they are somewhat shy and require a complex environment with plenty of hiding spaces to feel secure. Creating distinct visual barriers helps manage their territorial nature.
- Diet
- Carnivore
- In their natural habitat, they are micro-predators that sift through the substrate for small invertebrates, insect larvae, and zooplankton. In captivity, they should be offered a varied and high-quality diet consisting of sinking micro-pellets and flakes. Supplementing their diet regularly with live or frozen foods like daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms will promote optimal health and vibrant coloration. Variety is key to preventing nutritional deficiencies.
- Life expectancy
- 6-8 years
- In captivity and under optimal care, Nannacara aureocephalus typically has a lifespan of 6 to 8 years. Providing excellent water quality, a varied diet, and a stress-free environment is critical to achieving this longevity. Regular aquarium maintenance will reduce the onset of diseases, promoting a long and healthy life.
- Adult size
- 10 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 10 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 6.7 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Nannacara aureocephalus (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Harem
- In a suitably sized aquarium, they are best maintained in a harem configuration consisting of one dominant male and several females. If the tank is on the smaller side, maintaining a single compatible pair is the safest approach to minimize intraspecific aggression. Keeping multiple males usually requires a very large footprint with complex hardscape to break lines of sight and establish distinct territories. Proper sex ratios are vital for a peaceful tank.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- It is highly recommended to feed them small portions once or twice daily to maintain their metabolism and overall well-being. Care must be taken to only offer an amount they can completely consume within a couple of minutes to avoid fouling the water. Overfeeding is a common mistake that can lead to severe water quality issues. Fasting the fish for one day per week can also help clear their digestive tract.
- Bioload
- This species has a relatively low bioload compared to larger cichlids, making it suitable for appropriately sized setups. However, they are highly sensitive to deteriorating water conditions and elevated nitrates. Maintaining pristine water quality through adequate filtration and regular water changes is absolutely crucial for their long-term health. A heavily planted tank can also help absorb excess nutrients and keep the environment stable.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- Originating from slow-moving streams, backwaters, and sluggish tributaries, they strongly prefer gentle water flow in the aquarium. Strong currents will cause them undue stress and force them to expend unnecessary energy just to maintain their position. Filtration should be baffled if necessary to provide a calm environment, particularly near the substrate where they spend most of their time. Mimicking this natural calm flow is essential for their comfort.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are typical cave spawners, utilizing secluded crevices, leaf litter, or natural hollows to lay their eggs. The female assumes the primary responsibility of guarding the eggs and the subsequent fry, often becoming highly reclusive. The male's role involves defending a larger peripheral territory against any perceived threats. Providing plenty of hiding spots like coconut caves, PVC pipes, and dense vegetation is critical for successful breeding.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- They are best kept in a species-specific aquarium or a peaceful community tank with small, non-aggressive dither fish like tetras or rasboras. Fast-swimming or boisterous tank mates should be avoided as they will easily outcompete this species for food and induce stress. Bottom-dwelling species such as Corydoras might face territorial disputes, especially if breeding behaviors commence. Careful selection of tank mates is necessary to ensure a harmonious environment.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- These fish primarily inhabit the lower third of the water column, spending the vast majority of their day navigating the substrate. They are often seen foraging among leaf litter, driftwood, and plant roots in search of food. They rarely venture into the upper levels of the aquarium unless enticed by feeding or if they lack sufficient cover below. A well-structured bottom layout is highly appreciated.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.2 ± 0.5 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5156
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.0182, b = 3.08
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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