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Blue Golden Eye Cichlid (Nanacara anomala) – Live South American Dwarf Cichlid Australia
Add colour, personality, and fascinating behaviour to your aquarium with the Blue Golden Eye Cichlid (Nanacara anomala), a South American dwarf cichlid prized for its metallic blue-green sheen, golden eyes, and engaging temperament. Available in multiple purchase options, Nanacara anomala suit aquarists from beginners to experienced breeders.
Males develop vibrant iridescent blues and extended finnage, while females display rich yellow tones with bold black patterning. Watching them mature, form pairs, and display natural behaviours is a rewarding experience for any aquarist.
Originating from soft, slightly acidic streams in South America, Nanacara anomala thrive in well-structured aquariums with caves, driftwood, and plants. While generally peaceful with most community fish, they can become territorial toward other cichlids and during breeding.
Key Features
Stunning metallic blue-green coloration with golden eyes
Peaceful dwarf cichlid with strong personality
Excellent for community or species tanks
Fascinating breeding behaviour and attentive parental care
Colours and finnage intensify as fish mature
Care & Tank Requirements
Temperature: 24–28°C
Water: pH 6.0–7.5; soft to moderately hard
Tank Size: Minimum 60 L (larger recommended for pairs or community setups)
Diet: Omnivorous – quality pellets, frozen and live foods, occasional vegetables
Setup: Caves, plants, driftwood, and visual barriers; fine sand or smooth gravel preferred
Temperament & Female Colouration
Nanacara anomala are generally peaceful with most community fish but can be aggressive toward other cichlids or similar species. During breeding, females may be highly territorial toward their mate while coexisting with other tank mates — in one of our 120 gal / 450 L tanks, the female restricted the male’s movement but left other fish unharmed. Pairs are not recommended long-term in a display tank; a separate tank should be available for the female if keeping a pair.
Females show a wide range of colour shifts:
Neutral mood: resembles a juvenile male with subtle markings
Breeding mood: striking golden, black, and light cream “checkerboard” pattern
Raising fry: rich chocolatey black with darker checkerboard patterns, occasionally highlighted
Buying Options
Groups of Juveniles: Grow fish out naturally and allow pairs to form on their own — strongest long-term compatibility
Single Juveniles or Adults: Perfect as a pet or feature fish for community tanks
Sexed Pairs: Male and female selected based on appearance; may breed sooner but not guaranteed
Confirmed Pairs: Previously bred or displayed breeding behaviour; increases likelihood of breeding but compatibility and success are not guaranteed
Shipping & Availability
Shipped live and securely throughout QLD, NSW, VIC & SA using insulated packaging. Flat-rate shipping available.
Add a Stunning South American Dwarf Cichlid to Your Aquarium
Bring home Blue Golden Eye Cichlids and enjoy watching their colour, behaviour, and personality develop over time.
👉 Order today — shipping throughout QLD, NSW, VIC & SA
Important Note: Images show the parents colours. Juveniles will arrive less colourful, with full colour and finnage developing as they mature.
Personal Experience: The description above reflects my experience keeping Nanacara anomala in a 120 gal / 450 L tank (pictured at the end of the photos). Other aquarists may observe different behaviours depending on tank size, setup, and tank mates. Colours shift dramatically in both genders depending on mood and the way the light hits them. Males will shift from Electric blue to greenish gold depending on lighting and tannins within a tank.