Golden Eye Dwarf Cichlid

Nannacara anomala

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid (Nannacara anomala) is a hardy, vibrantly colored South American freshwater fish. Celebrated for their metallic blue-green bodies and striking, golden-yellow eyes, males reach about 7 cm in length, while females are smaller (4 cm) and turn a bold black-and-yellow checkerboard pattern when breeding.

Quick Care Facts

Minimum Tank Size: 75 Liters (20 gallons) for a small group or pair.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 22°C to 25°C
• pH Range: 6.0 to 7.5
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

Temperament: Generally peaceful with calm community fish, though females become fiercely territorial when brooding fry.

Diet: Omnivorous. Thrives on a mix of high-quality flakes, micropellets, and frozen or live foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms.

Tank Setup & Habitat

To help them thrive and display their best coloration, mimic their natural slow-moving or flooded savanna habitats.

Hiding Spots: Use caves (like small clay pots or coconut shells), driftwood, and smooth stones to give subdominant fish and breeding pairs a place to claim territories.

Vegetation: Dense planting with plants like Cryptocoryne, Anubias, or Amazon Swords provides essential cover and reduces stress.

Substrate: Fine, soft sand is best as these cichlids enjoy sifting through it.

Compatibility

Because they are relatively peaceful for cichlids, they make excellent additions to South American biotope tanks.

Ideal Tankmates: Peaceful tetras, pencilfish, and fast-moving dither fish (like Zebra Daniens) help them feel secure in the open.

Multispecies Caution: Avoid keeping them with aggressive, bottom-dwelling fish or keeping multiple adult males in smaller tanks, as they may clash over territory.