The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Apistogramma Borelli 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
Borelli's Dwarf Cichlid, also called the Umbrella Cichlid, is one of the calmest and hardiest Apistogramma. Males carry a tall, sail-like dorsal fin and a body of steel blue and yellow; females are smaller and golden. From the cooler Paraguay and Paraná basins, it suits smaller planted tanks and keepers new to dwarf cichlids.
- Adult Size: Around 6.5 cm (2.5 in) for males; females around 5 cm (2 in)
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
Origin
- Native to: Southern Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina and Uruguay
- Habitat: Sandy creeks and tributaries of the Paraguay and Paraná basins
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous micro-predator
- Preferred Foods: Micro pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, live blackworm
- Feeding Habits: Small feeds once or twice daily; frozen or live foods bring out colour and condition breeders
Tank Mates
- Best with: Small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, otocinclus, corydoras
- Avoid: Other Apistogramma, boisterous fish, fin-nippers, dwarf shrimp
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful towards other species; males spar with each other over territory
- Territoriality: Pairs claim a cave and defend the surrounding area strongly when spawning
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Challenges: Needs clean, stable water and hiding places; otherwise undemanding
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral
- Temperature: 20–26°C (68–79°F)
- pH: 5.0–8.0 (tank-bred adaptable)
- Hardness: 1–15 dGH
- Flow: Slow
- Tank Size: Minimum 45 litres for a pair; larger for a harem
Final Notes
This is the most forgiving Apistogramma: it tolerates harder water and cooler temperatures than its Amazonian cousins and does not need a heater in a warm room. Keep a pair or one male with two females with caves, sand and leaf litter. Females spawn in a cave and guard the fry alone; remove the male in a small tank. A gentle, colourful choice for a nano planted aquarium.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.