Dwarf flag cichlid (Laetacara curviceps) are a peaceful dwarf cichlid hailing from South America. They live in sluggish water and swamps in channels off the mail streams of the amazon river basin. Their popularity has been decreasing do to more lavishly colored apistogrammas and mikrogeophagus. They are one of the easiest dwarf cichlids to keep and breed. They can be feed many different types of foods including: Flake, Pellet, Frozen, Freeze Dried and live such as brine shrimp. The males get to be about 3.5 in but their female counterparts only grow to be 2.5in. They prefer soft acidic environments but can adapt to other conditions. They are a short lived fish and only live to a 4 year maximum.
pH: 6-7.5
Temp: 72-82.5
Hardness (GH): 1-15
Compatibility: Any peaceful community fish. Do not house with large aggressive fish ie. green terrors, Jack dempseys Etc.
Sexing: the male is larger, more colorful and has a longer dorsal fin.
Min Tank size: 10 Gallon for a pair. If you are going to have other fish a 20 gallon is required.
Lifespan: 2-4 years
Breeding:
They will Breed as small as 1.5 in. The mate they chose will be their sole mate for the rest of their lives. They will swim together and always be close to each other for the rest of their lives. They are very easy to spawn but feeding live or frozen food helps. They will clean their spawning site. Then they will lay their eggs on a that flat surface. The female will hover on top of the eggs guarding them while the male guards the territory. They eggs will take 5-7 days to hatch and another 5-7 days for the fry to become free swimming. They can be feed baby brine shrimp and crushed flakes as their first food. they can also be feed liquid fry food. The parents will protect the fry moving them with their mouth if necesary until the fry can fend for themselves.
pH: 6-7.5
Temp: 72-82.5
Hardness (GH): 1-15
Compatibility: Any peaceful community fish. Do not house with large aggressive fish ie. green terrors, Jack dempseys Etc.
Sexing: the male is larger, more colorful and has a longer dorsal fin.
Min Tank size: 10 Gallon for a pair. If you are going to have other fish a 20 gallon is required.
Lifespan: 2-4 years
Breeding:
They will Breed as small as 1.5 in. The mate they chose will be their sole mate for the rest of their lives. They will swim together and always be close to each other for the rest of their lives. They are very easy to spawn but feeding live or frozen food helps. They will clean their spawning site. Then they will lay their eggs on a that flat surface. The female will hover on top of the eggs guarding them while the male guards the territory. They eggs will take 5-7 days to hatch and another 5-7 days for the fry to become free swimming. They can be feed baby brine shrimp and crushed flakes as their first food. they can also be feed liquid fry food. The parents will protect the fry moving them with their mouth if necesary until the fry can fend for themselves.
