They live in areas with soft sandy bottom and plenty of dead roots and branches in the water.

[3] Fish keepers have selectively bred variants with brighter colors than those found in the wild.

[4] The author, Sven O. Kullander honoured the cichlid aquarist Mark McMaster with the specific name of this species.

[5] The female places her eggs inside the roof of a cavity or underneath a leaf.

[3] She takes care of the eggs and fry alone,[3] while the male guards the territory.