Description
The macmaster's dwarf cichlid is an apistogramma with a showy male of about 5.5 cm, with an elongated dorsal fin and yellow or bluish flanks with a dark band. The female, about 4 cm, is yellow and more subdued.
It is known only from the Guaytiquía and Metica river basins in Colombia. In the aquarium captive-raised fish are the sensible choice, as wild ones need a more specialised set-up.
Behavior
Discreet with other species: its conflict is internal. The male patrols a territory spanning those of several females and each female defends her cave, so one male with two or three females spreads the pressure.
It lives well with small tetras and rasboras.
Avoid housing it with other apistogrammas, large or energetic fish, and with shrimp, which it hunts.
Habitat
Apistogramma macmasteri is known only from the Guaytiquía and Metica rivers, in the upper Meta system, Colombia. It lives in soft water among leaf litter, branches and roots.
A fine sand floor, dried leaves and hiding places reproduce its surroundings, and soft water of very low hardness suits it best.
Details
🌊 Water parameters
🐠 Minimum tank size
Breeding
It lays its eggs in caves and crevices and the female guards them. In a small tank she may become very aggressive towards the male, who may need removing.
In the DATZ code system the wild form is A120 and the ornamental red form is A121.
Diet
A micropredator: it hunts invertebrates among the leaf litter.
- Staple: sinking micropellets.
- Essential: live or frozen food several times a week, such as brine shrimp, daphnia or mosquito larvae.
On dry food alone the male shows less colour.
What about your tank?
Enter your tank's values to see only the compatible species that fit them. Litres apply to fish.
Compatible fish
General guidance based on water parameters, behaviour and known exceptions; always review the individual animals' and aquarium's specific needs.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–26 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 24–28 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–27 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–27 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–27 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 24–28 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 24–27 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–26 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–30 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 24–30 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 25–30 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 24–30 °C.
They share water: pH 6.5–7 and 24–26 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–26 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–25 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 24–28 °C.
They share water: pH 6.5–7 and 23–24 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 27–30 °C.
They share water: pH 6.5–7 and 23–28 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 25–28 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–28 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–28 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 24–28 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 24–27 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 24–30 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–26 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–6.5 and 23–27 °C.
They share water: pH 6.5–7 and 23–26 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–26 °C.
They share water: pH 6.5–7 and 23–24 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–28 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–28 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–27 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–28 °C.
They share water: pH 5.6–7 and 23–26 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 26–30 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–28 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–26 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 6.5–7 and 23–26 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 5.5–6.5 and 24–28 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–28 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–27 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–28 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 24–28 °C.
They share water: pH 6–7 and 23–26 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–27 °C.
They share water: pH 5.5–7 and 23–27 °C.
Compatible invertebrates
General guidance based on water parameters, behaviour and known exceptions; always review the individual animals' and aquarium's specific needs.
They share water: pH 5.5–6.5 and 23–24 °C.
They share water: pH 6.5–7 and 23–27 °C.
They share water: pH 5.8–6.8 and 23–24 °C.
They share water: pH 5.8–6.8 and 23–24 °C.
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They share water: pH 6.5–7 and 23–28 °C. They only meet at the very edge, so the tank has to hold that value.
Sources
- FishBaseFroese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2026. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
- Seriously FishSeriously Fish. Apistogramma macmasteri. Ficha de especie; consultada 2026-10.
Water: FishBase gives pH 6-6.5, 2-4 dH and 23-30 °C; Seriously Fish, pH 5.5-7, 0-5 dGH and 24-28 °C. The profile uses the widest range. Seriously Fish recommends captive-raised fish for the community tank.
Litres per fish and minimum tank height and depth: the profile's own judgement. Seriously Fish gives only the tank base and FishBase gives no tank sizes.
Plan your next aquarium
Is this fish right for you? Plan a suitable aquarium before setting it up.