Ram cichlid
(Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)

Isolation will make a lone fish waste away. The minimum acceptable maintenance in terms of sociability is the constitution of a couple, for an aquarium of less than 120 liters (32 US gallons or 26 Imperial gallons). For a group, add 60 cm or 23 inches of frontage per additional couple introduced in the aquarium. The constitution of a small group will be really ideal because each fish will be able to choose its partner freely (rather than the aquarist imposing the couple). This group will necessarily organize itself around a hierarchy. For this to be established, small clashes can occur between individuals wanting to assert their dominance. Note that males are territorial and may be aggressive during breeding, both with their conspecifics than with other species occupying the tank. Because of its territorial nature, especially between males, avoid keeping two males in an aquarium of less than 120 liters. Attention, the rivalry between males is valid for all species of Apistogrammas. Thus, never introduce 2 Apistogramma males in an aquarium that is too small, whatever their species.

For the well-being of this shy little fish, do not introduce too bright fish into the aquarium, too aggressive or too big, because the Apistogramma will hide and finally die. On the other hand, if you have territorial fish but that are peaceful, there will be no problem. You can choose for example other Characidae, Neon, Cardinalis, Red nose, Copella nattereri, Otocinclus...

Avoid shrimp: at adult size there will be no problems, but juvenile shrimp will inevitably be eaten.

Corydoras are not welcome in an aquarium with the Apistogramma because they share the same area of life. In addition, the highly planted aquarium required by this fish does not meet the needs of Corydoras, who prefer open aquariums.