Macmaster’s Super Red-Shouldered Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma macmasteri var. Super Red-Shoulder)

Macmaster’s Super Red-Shouldered Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma macmasteri var. Super Red-Shoulder) is an extraordinary dwarf cichlid that has been selectively bred to maximize the red shoulder coloration. Originating from the same Colombian rio Meta drainage as the Red-Shoulder variant, this Super Red-Shoulder form takes the dense red blotch of the shoulder and expands it across essentially the entire front half of the male. The red extends from well behind the pectoral fin area and into the face, creating a dramatic pattern reminiscent of an inverted borellii “opal.” On males, the entire front half of the fish is essentially red. The finnage shows much more vivid red highlights compared with the standard Red-Shoulder, while the females remain golden yellow with some also displaying a small, noticeable red shoulder blotch.

These fish have been tank bred for generations, making them hardy and adaptable compared with their wild-caught ancestors. They thrive in a well-cycled aquarium, with soft, slightly acidic water being ideal but not strictly necessary. Botanicals, leaf litter, and branches are appreciated, providing shelter, territory, and grazing surfaces for smaller tankmates. While this is not a wild-caught fish and has been heavily selectively bred to create the intense red coloration which makes them so valuable, they still should be kept in nice, soft water and under lights that aren’t overly bright with plenty of hiding spaces, rocks, branches and so on. Mimicking their natural environment will pay dividends as they fish will almost always spawn when they are happy and well-fed.

Macmaster’s Super Red-Shouldered Dwarf Cichlids are suitable for species-only setups or gentle community tanks with non-aggressive fish. Top-dwelling species like hatchets pair particularly well, as they occupy different levels of the tank and create visual contrast. These other small fish that are compatible often act as dither fish, breaking up the attention, aggression and fear that can sometimes affect fish behavior. These captivating cichlids will bring an intense red splash to the front of the aquarium, turning any tank into a showcase of selective breeding at its finest. These fish ship individually bagged, one fish per bag.

Common Name:  Macmaster’s Super Red-Shouldered Dwarf Cichlid
Scientific Name:  Apistogramma macmasteri var. Super Red-Shoulder
Country of Import:  Czech Republic
Prophylactic Treatment:  Erythromycin / Ich-X / Metro
Approximate Current Size:  Males 2.5″-3″ / Females 2″-2.25″
Temp/pH/TDS:  75F / 6.5 pH / 80

Please be aware that all fish are sold on a BUY THIS WEEK, SHIP NEXT WEEK basis, and fish are shipped only on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Weekly shipping cutoff is EVERY SATURDAY at 12 Noon Pacific US Time. All fish are shipped via Overnight Air/Next Day Air. Minimum order is $50.00 (excluding shipping) and all orders to the lower 48 US States qualify for FLAT RATE $60.00 shipping via Overnight Air/Next Day Air. Hawaii and Alaska State Residents: Please contact us if you would like to purchase Live Animals for delivery.

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