{"product_id":"apistogramma-borellii-opal-apistogramma-borellii-opal","title":"Apistogramma Borellii Opal (Apistogramma borellii “Opal”)","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApistogramma Borellii Opal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a stunning colour variety of the popular \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApistogramma borellii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Known for its beautiful \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eiridescent blue colouration, yellow highlights and impressive finnage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this peaceful dwarf cichlid is an incredible addition to planted and community aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBorellii are generally considered one of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emore peaceful and approachable Apistogramma species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making them a fantastic choice for aquarists wanting to experience the personality and fascinating behaviour of dwarf cichlids.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuick Facts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApistogramma borellii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “Opal”\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Borellii Opal \/ Opal Apistogramma\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e South America\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Males approximately 6–7cm, females 4–5cm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Omnivore \/ Micropredator\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 20–26°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 5.5–7.5\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Peaceful to Semi-aggressive\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTank Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bottom to Mid-Water\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 60L+\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Cave Spawner\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSex:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unsexed unless otherwise stated\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Borellii Opal is a beautiful selectively bred form of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApistogramma borellii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with mature males developing particularly impressive colouration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepending on the individual, males can display a combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emetallic blue, turquoise, yellow and orange tones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, along with elongated fins and intricate markings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFemales are generally smaller and less colourful but can develop an intense \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eyellow colouration when breeding and caring for fry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir manageable size and relatively peaceful nature make Borellii Opals an excellent feature fish for a carefully planned community or dedicated dwarf cichlid aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBorellii Opals are generally \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epeaceful for a dwarf cichlid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, although they can become territorial when breeding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable tankmates can include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTetras\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRasboras\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePencilfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCorydoras\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall peaceful Catfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther peaceful community fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall schooling fish can work particularly well as dither fish, helping the Apistogrammas feel more secure and encouraging them to spend more time out in the open.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid highly aggressive or overly boisterous species that may intimidate them or compete heavily for food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen breeding, females can become surprisingly protective of their cave and fry, so plenty of space, structure and hiding places are recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Setup\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewell-planted aquarium with fine sand, driftwood and plenty of caves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e provides an ideal environment for Borellii Opals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable hiding and spawning areas can be created using:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDriftwood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoconut caves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall terracotta caves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRocks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDense planting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeaf litter and botanicals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fine sand substrate allows them to display their natural behaviour of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esifting through the substrate while searching for food\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProviding multiple caves and visual barriers is particularly important when keeping a pair or group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBorellii Opals should be offered a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehigh-quality and varied diet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable foods include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuality small cichlid pellets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrine shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBloodworms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDaphnia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMysis shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLive foods where available\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegularly offering frozen or live foods can help encourage \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eexcellent colouration, healthy growth and breeding condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBreeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApistogramma borellii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecave spawners\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and can be a very rewarding dwarf cichlid to breed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe female will typically select a cave or sheltered area where she lays and guards her eggs. Once the fry hatch and become free-swimming, she will lead them around the aquarium while protecting them from potential threats.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFemales often develop a striking \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebright yellow breeding colour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e during this period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy We Love Them\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBorellii Opals are one of our favourite Apistogrammas for their combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eincredible colour, manageable size and relatively peaceful personality\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA mature male displaying his shimmering blue and yellow colouration amongst lush green plants can be absolutely stunning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey're an excellent option for both \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApistogramma enthusiasts and aquarists looking to try their first dwarf cichlid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct photos are for reference only. As these are live fish, exact size, colour and markings may vary between individuals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Top Fin Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44147159367754,"sku":null,"price":129.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0594\/4436\/3338\/files\/borelliopal.jpg?v=1788340729","url":"https:\/\/www.topfinaquatics.co.nz\/products\/apistogramma-borellii-opal-apistogramma-borellii-opal","provider":"Top Fin Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}