Nanochromis parilus
Blue Congo Dwarf Cichlid (Nanochromis parilus)
Blue Congo Dwarf Cichlid (Nanochromis parilus)
13 in stock
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Remarks: Nanochromis parilus, commonly known as the blue Congo dwarf cichlid, is one of the many stunning members in their genus. While young fish are mostly a plain silver or tan, adults pop with color. Mature N. parilus have yellowish-orange bodies that shine with a blue and violet sheen in the light. Combined with the red and orange patterns in their fins and pink bellies in breeding females, they are quite a sight to see. N. parilus bear a heavy resemblance to their close relative, N. nudiceps, so much so that N. parilus had been mistakenly imported as N. nudiceps since their introduction to the hobby in 1952 until they were properly described as their own species in 1976. An easy way to tell the two species apart is to look at the top of the caudal (tail) fin. For N. nudiceps, they have a white or light blue stripe along the top edge of the caudal fin while in N. parilus, they lack this stripe and instead have alternating bands of yellow, red, black, or white vertical stripes.
Care for N. parilus is straightforward as they are hardy and generally peaceful fish compared to their relatives. In the wild, they inhabit rapids in the lower sections of the Congo River basin. Here, the water is mildly warm, well oxygenated, soft, acidic, and has a heavy current that N. parilus have adapted to handle with their slender bodies. Mimicking these conditions within the aquarium will help keep these dwarf cichlids happy and healthy as well as possibly promote spawning. They can be kept in mated pairs or small groups provided they have enough caves for them to claim and take shelter in. Any aggression shown by N. parilus is typically only between pairs fighting over a spawning site, males competing for females, territory squabbles with conspecifics, or when a pair is defending a brood. Otherwise, they are peaceful and can be kept with many other species that share their preferred water parameters, are not heavily aggressive, and are not small enough to swallow. For feeding, these omnivores are not very picky and will often eagerly eat anything offered. We recommend a diverse diet of many different prepared, frozen, and live foods to prevent any deficiencies.
Breeding N. parilus is almost as easy as their general care as they spawn in the typical cave-spawning fashion shared amongst others in their genus. Pairs form readily and often maintain strong, life-long bonds. To have the best chances of obtaining a pair, it is recommended to purchase a group of juveniles and allow them to pair off naturally as they grow. A pair of N. parilus that is provided proper parameters, given a healthy and robust diet, and a small cave to spawn in will almost certainly begin breeding. A female that is ready to spawn will become extremely rounded in the belly as she becomes full of eggs. Eggs are laid on the ceiling of the chosen cave where the male will fertilize them. After this, the female will take over care of the eggs, keeping them clean, oxygenated, and safe from predators. When the fry hatch and become free-swimming, the male will join the female in their care. N. parilus fry grow very quick so it isn’t uncommon for the pair to lay another clutch of eggs while their previous brood are still in the same tank making for a prolific breeding project.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Breeding: Wild-caught in Africa
- Max adult size: 3-4"
- Diet: Omnivore
- Social behavior: Semi-aggressive
- Care skill: Beginner
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 75°F - 82°F
- pH range: 6.0 - 7.5
- TDS range: 15 ppm - 200 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee