Bandi River dwarf cichlid

Where they come from

Wallaceochromis signatus is one of those West African dwarf cichlids that makes you wonder why they are not more common. They come from the Bandi River area in Sierra Leone, in small forest streams and calm edges where the water is usually tea-colored from leaves and wood.

Think shallow, slow flow, lots of roots and leaf litter, and plenty of little nooks. If you build the tank around that idea, they settle in fast.

Setting up their tank

These guys appreciate a tank that feels broken up, not a big open swimming pool. I have had the best results in a 20 long footprint or bigger, especially if you want a pair plus some peaceful dithers.

• Tank size: 15-20 gallons for a pair (more space if you add tankmates)
• Substrate: fine sand is my pick (they sift and poke around)
• Hardscape: branchy driftwood, small rock piles, and lots of cover
• Plants: tough stuff like Anubias, Java fern, Bolbitis, or floating plants for shade
• Spawning spots: coconut cave, small flowerpot, or tight caves under wood

Water-wise, they lean toward soft and a bit acidic, but stability beats chasing numbers. I keep them around 24-26 C (75-79 F). If your tap is hard, you can still keep them, but you will get a more relaxed fish if you cut it with RO and add leaf litter.

What to feed them

They are not picky once settled, but they do best when you feed like they are micro-predators. Mine put on the best condition (and spawned more reliably) with lots of small, meaty foods instead of only flakes.

• Staples: quality micro pellets, small granules, and a good frozen mix
• Frozen: brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, mysis (chopped if needed), bloodworms as a treat
• Live (if you can): baby brine, grindal worms, small daphnia
• Extras: occasional spirulina-based food is fine, but they are not herbivores

Small feedings work better than dumping one big meal. If they are in a community, watch that they are actually getting their share - they are quick, but they will back off from pushy fish.

How they behave and who they get along with

For a dwarf cichlid, they have a nice balance: curious and interactive, but not constantly looking for a fight. You will still see the usual cichlid posturing, especially around caves.

They do best as a pair. Two males in a small tank is asking for trouble, and even two females can squabble if the tank is too open.

• Good tankmates: small, calm tetras, African lampeyes, pencilfish, peaceful barbs, Corydoras (if you do not mind them nosing around spawn sites)
• Also works: small Synodontis-type catfish only in bigger tanks (some will raid eggs)
• Avoid: fin-nippers, boisterous schooling fish, other cave-spawning cichlids in tight quarters, and anything that will bully them off food

Breeding tips

If you give them privacy and good food, they will usually take it from there. They are cave spawners. The female will pick a tight spot and you might not see her much for a few days.

• Trigger: heavy feeding of frozen/live foods plus slightly warmer water (within reason)
• Provide: 2-3 cave options so the pair can choose and you can spread out aggression
• Keep it calm: avoid big rescapes or deep gravel vacs right in front of the cave
• Fry food: baby brine shrimp is the easy button, then crushed flakes and micro pellets

In a community tank, expect losses unless you are lucky. If you actually want to raise a batch, a species tank (or at least removing most tankmates) makes a huge difference.

Common problems to watch for

Most issues I have seen with this species come down to stress: too bright, too exposed, too much competition, or messy water from overfeeding.

• Hiding nonstop and washed-out color: tank is too open, lighting is too harsh, or tankmates are too pushy
• Bloat/strings of white poop: often food-related or internal parasites - stop feeding heavy, switch to lighter foods (daphnia), and consider quarantine treatment if it persists
• Fin damage: usually from pairing issues or tight territories - add cover and caves, or separate
• Eggs disappearing: tankmates raiding, or the pair is young and eating their own spawn (they usually figure it out)

If you keep the tank mellow and give them structure, Wallaceochromis signatus is a really rewarding dwarf cichlid. They have a lot of personality packed into a small fish, and you will catch interesting little behaviors every day.