Apistogramma Borelli - Umbrella Cichlid - Apistograma Borelli

Apistogramma borellii | The Umbrella Cichlid — A Jewel of the Planted Aquarium

Apistogramma borellii, commonly known as the Umbrella Cichlid or Yellow Dwarf Cichlid, is widely regarded as the most beginner-friendly and peaceful Apistogramma species in the freshwater aquarium hobby — and one of the most rewarding dwarf cichlids you can keep. Native to the soft, sandy river bottoms of the Paraguay and Paraná River basins in southern Brazil and northern Argentina, this compact, brilliantly coloured little cichlid packs extraordinary visual impact into a body barely 2.5 inches long. Males display iridescent blues, sunny yellows, and striking extended dorsal fins that fan out like an umbrella — the origin of its evocative common name.

What truly sets Apistogramma borellii apart from other dwarf cichlids is its temperament. Famously peaceful and personable, it is one of the few cichlid species genuinely well-suited to a carefully planned community aquarium. Intelligent and curious, these fish quickly learn to recognise their keepers, explore every corner of their aquascape, and display fascinating social and parenting behaviours that make them endlessly rewarding to observe.

Apistogramma borellii Care Guide

Care at a Glance

• Scientific name: Apistogramma borellii
• Also known as: Umbrella Cichlid, Yellow Dwarf Cichlid, Borellii's Dwarf Cichlid
• Origin: Paraguay and Paraná River basins, southern Brazil and northern Argentina
• Adult size: Males up to 2.5 inches (6.5 cm), females up to 2 inches (5 cm)
• Minimum tank size: 20 gallons (75 litres) for a pair — longer tanks preferred over taller ones
• Temperature: 68–79°F (20–26°C) — one of the few Apistogramma species that tolerates cooler, subtropical temperatures
• pH: 5.5–7.5
• Hardness: 1–10 dGH — soft water strongly preferred
• Keep one male per tank unless the aquarium is very large and heavily broken up with visual barriers
• Lifespan: 3–5 years with good care

Umbrella Cichlid Tank Setup

A well-planted aquarium with a soft sandy substrate, leaf litter, caves, driftwood, and gentle water flow suits these fish perfectly — replicating the calm, vegetated river habitat they come from in South America. Fine sand is essential as Borellii are natural substrate sifters and will sift mouthfuls of sand as part of their normal feeding behaviour. Caves and sheltered spots are important for both territory establishment and breeding. Indian almond leaves, botanicals, and tannins from driftwood help create the soft, slightly acidic conditions they thrive in and will encourage their most intense colouration. Avoid strong water flow — these fish come from slow-moving waters and dislike strong currents.

Feeding Your Apistogramma borellii

Omnivores that do best on a varied, protein-rich diet. High quality dwarf cichlid pellets or micro pellets form an excellent staple, supplemented generously with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, and micro worms. Feed small portions once or twice daily rather than one large meal, and remove uneaten food promptly to maintain water quality.

Keeping Males and Females

Apistogramma borellii are best kept as a single male with two or more females — a harem setup that reflects their natural social structure and distributes the male's attention. Males are territorial toward other males and should not be housed together unless the tank is very large and heavily planted with plenty of visual barriers. Females take on a vivid yellow colouration with orange belly markings when in breeding condition, making them easy to identify and a beautiful sight in their own right.

Breeding Apistogramma borellii

One of the easier Apistogramma species to breed in the home aquarium. The female selects a cave or sheltered spawning site, deposits eggs, and takes on sole responsibility for guarding and raising the fry while the male defends the broader territory. Even the most peaceful Borellii will become notably more assertive during breeding — providing plenty of caves and visual barriers protects other tank inhabitants during this period.

Apistogramma borellii Tank Mates

• Small, peaceful tetras such as Rummy Nose Tetras, Ember Tetras, and Cardinals
• Corydoras and small peaceful bottom dwellers — avoid species that compete for substrate territory
• Small rasboras and peaceful danios
• Dwarf shrimp — use caution, particularly with fry and smaller species
• Other peaceful South American dwarf cichlids in larger, well-planted setups
• Avoid fin-nipping species, large or aggressive cichlids, and boisterous fish that will stress them