Photo: -serwacy01- (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons
Topaz Cichlid (Amatitlania myrnae)
A jewel-toned dwarf cichlid from Costa Rica that pairs off into devoted couples — all the personality of a convict in a compact, community-friendlier package.
Will it live with a Topaz Cichlid?
We compare each fish against your topaz cichlid on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Agassiz's Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Agassiz's Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Banjo Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 15 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Black Kuhli Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Blood Red Tiger Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Bolivian Ram✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Burmese Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Butterfly Hillstream Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Corydoras Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Corydoras Catfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Elegant Cory✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Elegant Cory in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- False Julii Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep False Julii Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- German Blue Ram✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 27–30 °C (81–86 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Giant Betta✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Giant Kuhli Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Hillstream Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Kuhli Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Leopard Frog Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Murray River Rainbowfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 11 cm · Easy care · 15–26 °C (59–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Murray River Rainbowfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Panda Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 18–23 °C (64–73 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–23 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Peppered Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Peppered Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Slate Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Slate Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotfin Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Spotted Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Rubbernose Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Sterbai Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Sterbai Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Afra Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Different pH ranges (6.5–7.5 vs 7.8–8.6); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~150 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Bearded Corydoras⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Medium care · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Bearded Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Clown Rasbora⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Expect Topaz Cichlid to harass Clown Rasbora at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~110 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Clown Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Daffodil Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Topaz Cichlid 6.5–7.5 vs Daffodil Cichlid 7.8–9) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Topaz Cichlid and Daffodil Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~120 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Electric Yellow Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
- Different pH ranges (6.5–7.5 vs 7.8–8.9); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Giant Danio⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 20–27 °C (68–81 °F)
- Topaz Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Giant Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~110 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Giant Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Golden Wonder Killifish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Keyhole Cichlid⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Topaz Cichlid and Keyhole Cichlid are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add keyhole cichlid in a group to spread the pressure.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Kribensis⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Topaz Cichlid and Kribensis can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Molly⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Expect Topaz Cichlid to harass Molly at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Porthole Catfish⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Rosy Barb⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Keep Rosy Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Rusty Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Topaz Cichlid 6.5–7.5 vs Rusty Cichlid 7.8–8.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Topaz Cichlid and Rusty Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~150 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Tanganyikan Butterfly Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH preferences only just meet (Topaz Cichlid 6.5–7.5 vs Tanganyikan Butterfly Cichlid 8–9) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
- Topaz Cichlid and Tanganyikan Butterfly Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~130 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Upside-down Catfish⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~115 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Zebra Pleco⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Hard care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Topaz Cichlid and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Alligator Gar (250 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Topaz Cichlid whole.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Topaz Cichlid and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Size gap is too large (90 vs 10 cm): Clown Knifefish will treat Topaz Cichlid as food.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Fire Eel⛔ Not recommendedSemi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Fire Eel (100 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Topaz Cichlid whole.
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Koi⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
- Koi (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Topaz Cichlid whole.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Topaz Cichlid and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Size gap is too large (120 vs 10 cm): Redtail Catfish will treat Topaz Cichlid as food.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Topaz Cichlid and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Spotted Gar (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Topaz Cichlid whole.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Topaz Cichlid and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Wels Catfish (300 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Topaz Cichlid whole.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Topaz Cichlid and Wolf Cichlid are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Wolf Cichlid (72 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Topaz Cichlid whole.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.
Topaz Cichlid care specs
- Care level
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Max size
- 10 cm (3.9 in)
- Min tank size
- 75 L (19.8 gal)
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 5–15 dGH
- Lifespan
- 5–8 years
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Swim level
- Middle
- Group size
- 2+ (shoaling)
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Central America — Atlantic slope of Costa Rica and western Panama (Sixaola and Changuinola river drainages)
What is a Topaz Cichlid?
The Topaz Cichlid (Amatitlania myrnae) is a compact Central American cichlid formally described in 2008, native to a narrow range of river drainages on the Atlantic slope of Costa Rica and western Panama. Adults reach up to 10 cm (4 in), placing them firmly in dwarf-cichlid territory and well within reach of modestly sized aquariums. The common name earns its keep: the fish’s yellowish-gold flanks are overlaid with blue iridescent scale spangling and faint vertical barring that intensifies dramatically during courtship and spawning.
Less frequently imported than its more famous relative the Convict Cichlid (A. nigrofasciata), the Topaz Cichlid rewards patient searching. It brings the same fierce pair-bond loyalty and parental devotion that makes New World cichlids so compelling to watch, packaged in a slightly calmer, more manageable fish. Hobbyists who find a pair will be struck by how actively they communicate — flanking, shimmering, and working together to define a territory.
Where do Topaz Cichlids come from?
Wild Topaz Cichlids inhabit the Sixaola and Changuinola river drainages — relatively clear, warm lowland rivers and tributaries that drain the Talamanca mountain range toward the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and Panama. This is a geographically restricted range, which partly explains the species’ relative rarity in the trade.
The rivers of this region are warm (23–28 °C / 73–82 °F), moderately soft, and slightly acidic to neutral — quite different from the harder, more alkaline conditions sometimes associated with Central American cichlids. Underwater structure consists of smooth river rocks, leaf litter, submerged wood, and patches of riparian vegetation. The fish claim territories among rocky outcrops and use tight crevices or overhanging surfaces as spawning sites.
What size tank do Topaz Cichlids need?
A bonded pair requires at minimum 75 L (20 gal), but this is a genuine working minimum — space is tight and aggression against tank-mates will be high. A 120–150 L (30–40 gal) footprint gives the pair a proper territory and enough open water that other fish can coexist without constant harassment.
Prioritise tank footprint over height. A longer, shallower tank provides more horizontal territory, which matters more to a cichlid pair than vertical swimming space. Provide at least one clearly defined breeding cave — flat slate propped against a rock, a smooth ceramic cave, or a large smooth stone works well. The pair will choose their own site but need the option. Aim for gentle-to-moderate filtration: a hang-on-back or small canister that turns over the volume three to four times per hour without blasting current into the territory. Substrate of fine gravel or sand is appropriate; expect the pair to excavate shallow pits near their chosen site — this is normal pre-spawning behaviour, not a problem.
What water parameters do Topaz Cichlids need?
- Temperature: 23–28 °C (73–82 °F). The lower end suits a stock pair; raise toward 26–28 °C to encourage breeding.
- pH: 6.5–7.5. Slightly acidic to neutral; avoid alkaline swings common with coral or limestone decor.
- Hardness: 5–15 dGH. Moderately soft to moderately hard; very hard tap water above 15 dGH should be partially softened.
Stability is the priority. Cycle the tank fully before adding fish, and maintain weekly partial water changes of 25–30 % to keep nitrates in check — cichlid eggs and fry are far more sensitive to nitrate accumulation than the adults are. A reliable thermometer and test kit are worthwhile investments. Avoid sudden temperature drops, which can trigger stress-related disease.
What do Topaz Cichlids eat?
The Topaz Cichlid is an omnivore whose wild diet includes insect larvae, small invertebrates, algae, and organic detritus picked from the substrate and water column. In the aquarium, a quality cichlid pellet or flake forms a sound staple. Rotate in frozen or live foods — bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and small earthworm pieces — to maintain condition, colour, and breeding readiness. Blanched vegetables such as cucumber, courgette, or spinach round out the omnivore diet and are readily accepted by most individuals.
Feed adults once or twice daily, only as much as they consume in two to three minutes, and skip one day per week. Overfeeding is one of the most common causes of poor water quality in cichlid tanks; it also contributes to bloat. During breeding, the pair’s appetite may increase — they will need energy for extended territory defence and parental care.
Are Topaz Cichlids aggressive — and what fish can live with them?
The Topaz Cichlid is rated semi-aggressive. In practice this means it is generally manageable outside of spawning periods, but becomes notably territorial once a pair bond forms and breeding begins. A bonded pair will defend their chosen corner assertively against any perceived intruder, regardless of size.
The best tank-mates are fish that occupy different water levels, are robust enough not to be easily intimidated, and are fast enough to move away when the pair flares. Larger characins (such as silver dollars or robust tetras), peaceful rainbowfish, and armoured catfish (bristlenose plecos, larger Corydoras species) are workable in a 150 L or bigger tank. Avoid slow-moving, long-finned, or delicate species, and never add another cichlid pair without enough space to establish a fully separate territory.
For a curated, filterable list of vetted companions, see Topaz Cichlid tank mates.
How do you tell male from female Topaz Cichlids?
Sexing Topaz Cichlids is possible in healthy, well-conditioned adults but can be subtle outside of breeding condition. Males are slightly larger — often reaching the upper end of the 10 cm (4 in) size range — and have more elongated, pointed dorsal and anal fins. Their body colour tends to be slightly more intense day-to-day. Females are smaller and rounder-bodied, with shorter, more rounded fin tips. The clearest visual cue is the rosy-pink flush on the belly that females develop when they are breeding-ready and near ovulation. The ovipositor (egg tube) also becomes visible on a ripe female shortly before spawning. In young or non-breeding fish, these differences are less obvious, and pairs often self-select naturally.
How do Topaz Cichlids breed?
Topaz Cichlids form monogamous pair bonds and are substrate-spawners. The pair will choose a flat, smooth surface — the underside of a rock, a slate slab, or the inside of a cave — clean it meticulously over one to two days, and then spawn. The female deposits eggs in neat rows and the male follows immediately to fertilise them. Clutch sizes are typically moderate for a cichlid of this size.
Both parents share guarding duties, fanning and mouthing the eggs to prevent fungal growth. Eggs typically hatch within two to three days at warmer temperatures; the parents will often move the wriggling larvae to a pre-dug pit in the substrate. Fry become free-swimming after another three to five days and can be started on newly hatched brine shrimp and finely crushed flake. The pair remains intensely protective throughout; other tank residents may be harassed severely during this period, so a species-only breeding setup is often more practical. We rate breeding difficulty as medium: the pair will spawn reliably with good conditioning, but raising fry alongside tank-mates requires careful management.
What diseases should Topaz Cichlid keepers watch for?
The most common health problems in Topaz Cichlids are shared with New World cichlids generally. Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, presenting as white salt-grain spots) is the most frequently encountered parasite and usually traces back to temperature fluctuations or the introduction of unquarantined fish. Hole-in-the-head disease (HITH, presenting as pitting around the head and lateral line) is associated with poor water quality, high nitrates, and nutritional deficiency. Fin rot and bacterial infections typically follow injury — often from conspecific aggression — combined with degraded water conditions.
Prevention follows a simple pattern: maintain stable, clean water through consistent partial changes, quarantine all new fish for a minimum of two to four weeks before introduction, feed a varied and nutritious diet, and remove sharp decor that can abrade fins. A tank that is well-maintained and lightly stocked will rarely see disease.
Health note: specific medication dosing and disease diagnosis are outside the scope of a species care profile. If a fish shows persistent symptoms, cross-reference against a reputable veterinary or fish-health resource and confirm the diagnosis before treating.
How long do Topaz Cichlids live?
With consistent, attentive care, a Topaz Cichlid can live 5–8 years in the aquarium. As with most cichlids, lifespan is closely tied to water quality and diet: fish kept in chronically poor conditions rarely reach their potential. A pair in a well-maintained, appropriately sized tank with a varied diet will reward the keeper with several years of active, observable behaviour — courtship displays, territory disputes, and, with the right setup, multiple successful spawning events.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Topaz Cichlid the same as a Convict Cichlid?
No. Both belong to Amatitlania, but the Topaz Cichlid (A. myrnae) is a distinct species native only to the Talamanca region of Costa Rica and Panama. It is smaller, less aggressive, and displays golden-blue colouration rather than the bold black-and-white barring of the Convict (A. nigrofasciata).
Can Topaz Cichlids be kept in a community tank?
With care, yes. They are semi-aggressive mainly when guarding a territory or breeding pair bond. Choose robust mid- to upper-water tank-mates that stay out of the pair's claimed zone — larger tetras, peaceful rainbowfish, or robust catfish make reasonable companions in a 150 L or bigger tank.
What you need to keep a topaz cichlid
The baseline is a heated, filtered 75 L+ tank: a reliable heater to hold 23–28 °C (73–82 °F), a gentle filter that won't batter a topaz cichlid in the current, and a tight-fitting lid. Cycle the tank fully before adding any fish.
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