Apistogramma Borellii
Apistogramma borellii
Min Tank Size
60L
Adult Size
7 cm
Lifespan
4 years
About
Native to the lowland rivers of southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, Apistogramma borellii is one of the most forgiving dwarf cichlids you can find. Males are genuinely stunning, with a lemon-yellow face that fades into iridescent blue scales along the body and fins. Females are more subdued with yellowish tones and a dark lateral stripe, but they take on vivid yellow coloration when breeding. Several color variants exist in the hobby, including the popular 'Opal' and 'Yellow' strains, which differ in the intensity of the blue body iridescence.
What sets borellii apart from many of its genus relatives is its cold tolerance. It handles water temperatures as low as 20C without issue, making it compatible with fish that prefer cooler conditions, and it is more forgiving of higher pH than most Apistogrammas. Soft, slightly acidic to neutral water is ideal, but it adapts reasonably well to harder tap water, which is a big part of why beginners find it approachable.
Diet should be protein-rich. They'll eat high-quality frozen or live foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp enthusiastically, and most will also accept good dry foods in time.
A planted tank with plenty of hiding spots using driftwood, leaf litter, and caves brings out the best behavior and coloration from both sexes. Males display their most vivid colors when courting or competing for territory, so giving them a tank designed to see them thrive is worth the effort.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Apistogramma Borellii together
Apistogramma Borellii is mildly territorial. Small groups can work in spacious tanks with broken sightlines, but expect occasional squabbles.
Compatibility
Borellii pairs nicely with small, peaceful upper and mid-water fish that won't compete for the bottom zone. Tetras like rummy-nose or ember tetras, rasboras, and small pencilfish are all solid choices. Corydoras are generally fine tankmates since they move through similar spaces but aren't seen as rivals. Avoid anything that might nip fins, like tiger barbs, as borellii males have flowing finnage that becomes a target. Don't mix with other Apistogramma species unless the tank is large enough to establish completely separate territories. Small shrimp will be eaten, so neocaridina and caridina colonies don't mix well with this species.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common beginner mistake is keeping a single pair in too small a tank without enough cover, which leads to the male harassing the female relentlessly. Always aim for a 1:2 male-to-female ratio and break up sightlines with decor. These fish are sensitive to nitrate buildup and stalled water quality despite their hardier reputation, so consistent water changes matter. They don't need extremely soft water to thrive, but they do benefit from a lower pH for breeding. Dry food alone won't keep them in peak condition long-term. Regular frozen food offerings make a noticeable difference in coloration and vitality.
Behavior & Aggression
Borellii is relatively mild-mannered by Apistogramma standards, but conspecific aggression is still real. Two males in the same tank will clash, especially in smaller setups, and the loser often gets harassed until it hides constantly or dies from stress. Females defending a spawning site become surprisingly bold and will chase fish several times their size. Aggression peaks during breeding and immediately after eggs are laid. Providing multiple visual barriers like dense plants or driftwood breaks line of sight and significantly reduces the intensity of territorial disputes.
Things to Know
- Males will fight each other. One male per tank unless it's very large.
- Keep 1 male to 2-3 females to prevent female harassment.
- Will eat small shrimp, including dwarf shrimp like neocaridina.
- Females become highly aggressive when guarding eggs or fry.
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