Dwarf Flag Cichlid

1 Dwarf Flag Cichlid Species Profile

The Dwarf Flag Cichlid has a very special appearance—a rounded head with an egg-shaped body—loved by many aquarists. Because it is easy to keep and breed, it is quite popular.

Chinese name: Dwarf Flag Cichlid

Binomial: Laetacara curviceps

Foreign name: Dwarf Flag Cichlid

Water: weakly acidic soft water

Distribution: Amazon River basin

Breeding: open spawner

2 Dwarf Flag Cichlid Appearance

Mainly from the Amazon basin; not hard to keep or breed. It is uncommon, so little is written about it; enthusiasts may want to know more.

The rounded head with an egg-shaped body; a black stripe on the side, some with red spots on the black stripe. Easy to keep and breed; when the female’s dorsal center shows an obvious eye-like spot, she has laid eggs—about 100 to 300 at a time.

3 Dwarf Flag Cichlid Habitat and Care

Likes weakly acidic soft water; keep it stable. Recommended pH 6.5, hardness 8 to 12 dH. Not hard to keep or breed; just give a suitable environment.

A large cichlid; the tank needs at least 90 x 40 x 40 cm. Temperature 20 to 28 C, best 27 C. Not strict about water; grows in weakly acidic to weakly alkaline, soft to hard water. During keeping, slightly alkaline medium-hard water; for breeding put in weakly acidic soft water with no big reaction, normal spawning and embryo development. Then raise fry in weakly acidic soft water; when larger, switch to weakly alkaline hard water with no adverse color effect.

4 Dwarf Flag Cichlid Feeding

Not hard to keep or breed, and appearance is special—egg-shaped body unlike many fish. How to feed scientifically is a concern; here is how.

Carnivorous; likes small fish, shrimp, mealworms; also homemade animal food. To keep color vivid: ensure enough light, at least 8 hours of strong light daily; add green algae food, more shrimp and carotene; feed morning and evening.