Apistogramma Agassizi Alenquer

Description

Apistogramma agassizii 'Alenquer' (Apistogramma agassizii)

Vibrant, elegant and highly sought after, the Alenquer Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid is a stunning locality form of Apistogramma agassizii. Originating from the Alenquer region of the Brazilian Amazon, this beautiful fish is renowned for its brilliant iridescent blue body, fiery orange-red finnage and graceful lyre-shaped tail, making it an exceptional centrepiece for planted and blackwater aquariums.

Quick Facts

  • Scientific name: Apistogramma agassizii
  • Common name: Alenquer Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid
  • Current size: Approximately 3–5 cm
  • Adult size: Males 8–9 cm, females 5–6 cm
  • Tank size: 60L+ for a pair
  • Difficulty: 🟡 Moderate
  • Temperament: Peaceful but territorial during breeding
  • Best kept: As a compatible pair or one male with multiple females in larger aquariums

Is this for you?

✔️ Perfect if:

  • You enjoy collecting naturally occurring locality forms of Apistogramma.
  • You keep a planted, blackwater or Amazon-style aquarium.
  • You appreciate vibrant natural colours rather than selectively bred strains.
  • You enjoy observing breeding and parental care behaviours.

❌ Avoid if:

  • You keep large or aggressive cichlids.
  • Your aquarium lacks caves and natural hiding places.
  • You cannot maintain stable water quality.
  • You keep highly active fish that may stress dwarf cichlids.

Why choose the Alenquer Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid?

The Alenquer locality is admired for its vivid natural colouration and elegant body shape. Mature males develop an iridescent blue body with brilliant orange to red edging along the dorsal, caudal and anal fins. Their elongated lyre-shaped tail and extended dorsal rays create an elegant silhouette that stands out beautifully against lush aquatic plants and dark backgrounds.

Females are smaller and more subtly coloured but transform into a brilliant yellow during breeding. They become attentive parents, guarding their cave and leading their fry through the aquarium while the male protects the surrounding territory.

This naturally occurring locality form combines spectacular beauty with the fascinating intelligence and personality that make Apistogramma agassizii one of the world's most popular dwarf cichlids.

Benefits

  • Beautiful Alenquer locality form
  • Brilliant blue body with fiery orange-red finnage
  • Elegant elongated fins and lyre-shaped tail
  • Outstanding centrepiece for planted aquariums
  • Excellent personality and fascinating behaviours
  • Interesting breeding and parental care

Care made simple

  • Temperature: 24–28°C
  • pH: 5.5–7.0
  • Diet: Premium micro pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and other quality live or frozen foods
  • Water: Soft, clean and stable with gentle water movement
  • Substrate: Fine sand is highly recommended
  • Setup: Driftwood, caves, leaf litter, botanicals, dense planting and subdued lighting
  • Maintain excellent water quality through regular water changes.
  • Provide multiple caves and visual barriers to minimise territorial behaviour during breeding.

Pairs perfectly with

  • Cardinal Tetras
  • Rummy Nose Tetras
  • Ember Tetras
  • Otocinclus
  • Corydoras
NTA Insight:
The Alenquer locality is one of the most attractive forms of Apistogramma agassizii. Its vibrant blue body and fiery orange-red finnage become even more intense in aquariums with dark substrates, tannin-rich water and natural décor. With stable water conditions and a varied diet, mature males develop breathtaking colouration that makes them a true highlight in any Amazon-style aquascape.

FAQ

What does "Alenquer" refer to?

Alenquer refers to the region of the Brazilian Amazon where this beautiful locality form originates. Locality forms are valued for preserving the distinctive colours and characteristics of fish from a specific wild population.

Is this a naturally occurring variety?

Yes. The Alenquer form is a recognised natural locality of Apistogramma agassizii, not a selectively bred designer strain.

Can they breed in captivity?

Absolutely. They are cave spawners, with females guarding the eggs and fry while males defend the surrounding territory.

What should I feed them?

A varied diet of premium micro pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and occasional live foods helps maximise colour, health and breeding success.

Can they live with shrimp?

Large adult shrimp may coexist in larger aquariums, but shrimp fry are likely to become prey. They are not recommended for dedicated shrimp breeding aquariums.

How long do they live?

With excellent care, stable water quality and a varied nutritious diet, Alenquer Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlids typically live between 3 and 5 years.

What aquarium setup suits them best?

A natural Amazon-style aquarium with fine sand, driftwood, caves, leaf litter, dense planting and gentle filtration closely replicates their native habitat and encourages vibrant colouration, natural behaviour and successful breeding.

Apistogramma Agassizi Alenquer

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Out of stock,  

$70.00


All prices include GST
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    Description

    Apistogramma agassizii 'Alenquer' (Apistogramma agassizii)

    Vibrant, elegant and highly sought after, the Alenquer Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid is a stunning locality form of Apistogramma agassizii. Originating from the Alenquer region of the Brazilian Amazon, this beautiful fish is renowned for its brilliant iridescent blue body, fiery orange-red finnage and graceful lyre-shaped tail, making it an exceptional centrepiece for planted and blackwater aquariums.

    Quick Facts

    • Scientific name: Apistogramma agassizii
    • Common name: Alenquer Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid
    • Current size: Approximately 3–5 cm
    • Adult size: Males 8–9 cm, females 5–6 cm
    • Tank size: 60L+ for a pair
    • Difficulty: 🟡 Moderate
    • Temperament: Peaceful but territorial during breeding
    • Best kept: As a compatible pair or one male with multiple females in larger aquariums

    Is this for you?

    ✔️ Perfect if:

    • You enjoy collecting naturally occurring locality forms of Apistogramma.
    • You keep a planted, blackwater or Amazon-style aquarium.
    • You appreciate vibrant natural colours rather than selectively bred strains.
    • You enjoy observing breeding and parental care behaviours.

    ❌ Avoid if:

    • You keep large or aggressive cichlids.
    • Your aquarium lacks caves and natural hiding places.
    • You cannot maintain stable water quality.
    • You keep highly active fish that may stress dwarf cichlids.

    Why choose the Alenquer Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid?

    The Alenquer locality is admired for its vivid natural colouration and elegant body shape. Mature males develop an iridescent blue body with brilliant orange to red edging along the dorsal, caudal and anal fins. Their elongated lyre-shaped tail and extended dorsal rays create an elegant silhouette that stands out beautifully against lush aquatic plants and dark backgrounds.

    Females are smaller and more subtly coloured but transform into a brilliant yellow during breeding. They become attentive parents, guarding their cave and leading their fry through the aquarium while the male protects the surrounding territory.

    This naturally occurring locality form combines spectacular beauty with the fascinating intelligence and personality that make Apistogramma agassizii one of the world's most popular dwarf cichlids.

    Benefits

    • Beautiful Alenquer locality form
    • Brilliant blue body with fiery orange-red finnage
    • Elegant elongated fins and lyre-shaped tail
    • Outstanding centrepiece for planted aquariums
    • Excellent personality and fascinating behaviours
    • Interesting breeding and parental care

    Care made simple

    • Temperature: 24–28°C
    • pH: 5.5–7.0
    • Diet: Premium micro pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and other quality live or frozen foods
    • Water: Soft, clean and stable with gentle water movement
    • Substrate: Fine sand is highly recommended
    • Setup: Driftwood, caves, leaf litter, botanicals, dense planting and subdued lighting
    • Maintain excellent water quality through regular water changes.
    • Provide multiple caves and visual barriers to minimise territorial behaviour during breeding.

    Pairs perfectly with

    • Cardinal Tetras
    • Rummy Nose Tetras
    • Ember Tetras
    • Otocinclus
    • Corydoras
    NTA Insight:
    The Alenquer locality is one of the most attractive forms of Apistogramma agassizii. Its vibrant blue body and fiery orange-red finnage become even more intense in aquariums with dark substrates, tannin-rich water and natural décor. With stable water conditions and a varied diet, mature males develop breathtaking colouration that makes them a true highlight in any Amazon-style aquascape.

    FAQ

    What does "Alenquer" refer to?

    Alenquer refers to the region of the Brazilian Amazon where this beautiful locality form originates. Locality forms are valued for preserving the distinctive colours and characteristics of fish from a specific wild population.

    Is this a naturally occurring variety?

    Yes. The Alenquer form is a recognised natural locality of Apistogramma agassizii, not a selectively bred designer strain.

    Can they breed in captivity?

    Absolutely. They are cave spawners, with females guarding the eggs and fry while males defend the surrounding territory.

    What should I feed them?

    A varied diet of premium micro pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and occasional live foods helps maximise colour, health and breeding success.

    Can they live with shrimp?

    Large adult shrimp may coexist in larger aquariums, but shrimp fry are likely to become prey. They are not recommended for dedicated shrimp breeding aquariums.

    How long do they live?

    With excellent care, stable water quality and a varied nutritious diet, Alenquer Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlids typically live between 3 and 5 years.

    What aquarium setup suits them best?

    A natural Amazon-style aquarium with fine sand, driftwood, caves, leaf litter, dense planting and gentle filtration closely replicates their native habitat and encourages vibrant colouration, natural behaviour and successful breeding.

    Live Arrival & Ordering FAQ

    Why do livestock prices sometimes change?

    Unlike manufactured products, fish and shrimp continue to grow and develop over time. Their value changes as they increase in size, develop colour, or become breeding pairs.

    Our prices are based on the current size, quality and availability of each specimen. While pricing often remains stable for around 3–4 months, it may be updated at any time to reflect these changes.

    We always aim to offer healthy, high-quality livestock at fair and competitive prices.

    Do you offer a live arrival guarantee?

    Yes. All livestock is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

    In the rare event of DOA, please contact us promptly with clear photos of the livestock in the original unopened bag.

    Please review our full DOA and store policies before purchase.

    Can you ship to all states in Australia?

    No. Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship livestock or live plants to WA and TAS.

    What should I check before ordering?

    Before placing an order, make sure:

    • Your tank is fully cycled and stable
    • Your aquarium has enough space for the species
    • Your current livestock are compatible in temperament, size, and requirements
    • Your water parameters, habitat, and temperature suit the species
    • You are not adding too many fish at once
    What should I expect when my fish arrives?

    It is normal for fish, shrimp, or snails to look pale, stressed, or less active after shipping.

    This is temporary. Most livestock will settle and regain colour within a few days.

    How long does it take for fish to settle in?

    Most livestock will take 3–7 days to fully adjust to their new environment.

    Should I feed my fish immediately after arrival?

    No. We recommend waiting 24 hours before feeding to allow them to settle.

    If you already have fish in your tank, feeding them before introducing new arrivals can help reduce stress.

    Why do fish sometimes struggle after being added to a tank?

    In most cases, issues are caused by tank conditions, not shipping.

    • Uncycled or unstable tanks
    • Poor water parameters
    • Overstocking
    • Unsuitable tank mates
    What is Nano Tanks Australia’s main tip for new livestock?

    Most livestock losses happen in immature or unstable tanks, not during shipping.

    If your setup is not fully established, the risk to new arrivals is significantly higher.

    Not sure if this fish is right for your setup?

    If you are unsure whether this species suits your setup, contact us before ordering and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

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