Goldeneye Cichlid

About

The goldeneye cichlid (Nannacara anomala) is a compact dwarf cichlid native to the coastal lowlands of Guyana and Suriname, where it turns up in flooded savanna habitats along river systems like the Aruka and lower Marowijne. Males are noticeably larger and more colorful than females, with elongated unpaired fins that make them easy to tell apart. Females wear a more subdued pattern that becomes relevant when breeding kicks in. Outside of spawning, these fish are calm, mid-to-bottom dwelling residents that generally coexist well with other peaceful species, which makes them a reasonable choice for community setups. The catch is breeding: once a female has eggs or fry, she transforms into a surprisingly fierce guardian, and her ability to terrorize tankmates in a community setup should not be underestimated. Breeding itself is almost effortlessly easy. A compatible pair in decent water will usually spawn without much prompting. One of the more fascinating quirks of this species is that a subordinate male kept alongside a dominant male can temporarily suppress his own male characteristics and mimic female coloration to avoid conflict, reverting fully to male form if the dominant fish is removed. The name Nannacara means simply "small acara," which about sums up the package: a genuine cichlid personality in a fish that fits comfortably in modest-sized tanks.