Macmasteri Apistogramma Red Mask 5-6cm In their natural habitat, Apistogramma macmasteri can be found in the slow-moving, shallow waters of creeks and tributaries within the upper Rio Meta drainage and the Orinoco River basin. The substrate in these areas often consists of leaf litter. When setting up a home aquarium for these fish, it’s important to ensure the water is soft and acidic, and that the tank is biologically mature before introducing them. A dark substrate and lush plant life are ideal, providing ample hiding spots and territories among rocks, driftwood, and coconut shells. Adding floating plants can help soften the light. Utilizing peat filtration and incorporating dried Indian Almond Leaves (Terminalia catappa) can create a more suitable environment. It’s also crucial to have a secure tank cover, as these fish are known to jump. While filtration should be effective, the water movement should be gentle, and regular partial water changes are necessary to keep nitrate levels low. A. macmasteri is generally peaceful but can exhibit territorial behavior during breeding. It’s best to keep either a single pair or, in larger tanks, one male with several females to form a harem. The females will establish their own territories, highlighting the need for plenty of visual barriers in the aquarium. Compatible tankmates include Corydoras catfish, hatchetfish, pencilfish, small tetras, and suckermouth catfish. Like many Apistogramma species, A. macmasteri is sensitive to high nitrate levels, making regular water changes essential for their health. They may also be found in stores under the name Macmaster’s Dwarf Cichlid, with various tank-bred color forms available, such as ‘red’, ‘double red’, ‘gold’, and ‘gold red-mask’, which are sometimes mistakenly identified as A. viejita, a much rarer species in the aquarium trade. If you need real photos instead of the stock photo, please feel free to reach out to us. We would be delighted to provide you with videos and pictures All Sizes are approx
