What tank size does a Dwarf Flag Cichlid need?

A Dwarf Flag Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 90 litres (23.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 80 cm (31.5 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Dwarf Flag Cichlid need?

Dwarf Flag Cichlid does best at 22–29 °C (71.6–84.2 °F), pH 5.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–12 °dGH.

Is the Dwarf Flag Cichlid suitable for beginners?

Dwarf Flag Cichlid sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.

Species library

Dwarf Flag Cichlid

Laetacara curviceps

Cichlidae

FishDifficulty: ●●●○○Data: well-established

📷 Dnoerholm · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

Dwarf Flag Cichlid — Laetacara curviceps — 📷 Dnoerholm · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

The dwarf flag cichlid is a small, genuinely peaceful South American cichlid from slow, soft, tannin-stained tributaries of the lower Amazon basin. Rarely exceeding about 8 cm, it forms devoted monogamous pairs, sifts sandy bottoms for food, and makes an excellent hardier alternative to rams in a well-planted community.

Care

Keep a pair in a mature, gently filtered planted tank of 90 L or more with soft, slightly acidic warm water, a sandy bottom and plenty of cover. Peaceful but territorial around spawning sites.

Diet

Omnivorous micro-forager that grazes small invertebrates and organic matter from the substrate; feed varied dry foods plus frozen or live daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.

All the methods, with diagrams

Also in these lists

Bottom dwellers Peaceful community fish Fish for a 112 litre tank

Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Dwarf Flag Cichlid need?: A Dwarf Flag Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 90 litres (23.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 80 cm (31.5 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Dwarf Flag Cichlid need?: Dwarf Flag Cichlid does best at 22–29 °C (71.6–84.2 °F), pH 5.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–12 °dGH.
Is the Dwarf Flag Cichlid suitable for beginners?: Dwarf Flag Cichlid sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature22–29°C

Optimal temp.25–27°C

pH5.5–7.5

Hardness (GH)2–12°d

Carbonate (KH)0–8°d

Adult size8 cm

Min. volume≥ 90 L

Min. tank length≥ 80 cm

Swimming zoneBottom

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowLow

Lifespan~5 yrs

Try in the calculator