Golden Dwarf Cichlid
Nannacara anomala
Cichlidae
About
The golden dwarf cichlid is a hardy, undemanding South American dwarf cichlid from the coastal savannas and forest streams of Guyana and Suriname. Males show a shimmering golden-green sheen and grow noticeably larger than the plainer females. Generally peaceful and easy to keep, it is a fine first cichlid, though a spawning female turns strikingly checkered and fiercely guards her fry.
Care
Keep a single pair in a well-planted, soft-sand tank of around 80 L with gentle flow, cover and leaf litter. Hardy and forgiving, but expect the female to defend a territory aggressively while brooding.
Diet
Omnivorous micropredator; feed frozen and live bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia alongside quality sinking pellets. Some wild-type fish accept dry food reluctantly, so offer regular meaty foods.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (79)
Possible with care (134)
Avoid (58)
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.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Golden Dwarf Cichlid need?
- A Golden Dwarf Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 80 litres (21.1 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Golden Dwarf Cichlid need?
- Golden Dwarf Cichlid does best at 22–27 °C (71.6–80.6 °F), pH 6–7.8 and a general hardness of 2–15 °dGH.
- Is the Golden Dwarf Cichlid suitable for beginners?
- Yes — Golden Dwarf Cichlid is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.