Are you looking to keep apistogramma? Why not to start with the colourful fish out there. Apistogramma is also known as ‘dwarf cichlid’. This fish found in south America in the lowland east of Andes. These dwarf cichlid feed on tiny animals and have different breeding behaviors that vary in the family of this specie.
Moreover, this fish is true classic for aquarium and favorite when talks about South American fish. This fish specie is belongs to Cichlid family. This specie is commonly bred, a apistogramma is the best choice for beginners.
Apistogramma habitation is streams, and edges of rivers and lakes. Many of the these prefer to take shelter in leaf litter. Usually in the bottom of water with little movement and shallow depth. Whereas, some species preferred to lives deeper and fast flowing water.
Appearance
Apistogramma is a strong sexual dimorphic territorial fish. The male fish of this specie is colorful, and larger in size than females. During breeding body color and fins length plays a vital role, this characteristic makes these specie member strong to control territory and have good quality food.
Male apistogramma are brightly colorful and of about 3 to 3.5 inches. The male fish have long dorsal fins. Whereas, females are dull and smaller as compared to males are around 2 to 2.5 inches. For aquarists, this fish is attractive and interactive in behaviour.
Types of Apistos
For aquarists one of the enjoyable things in fish keeping is their vibrant colors. There are several different types of apistos which are given below:
- Cacatuoides : also known as cockatoo dwarf cichlid available in different shades of red and in orange Flash.
- Agassizii : comes in fire red and gold and distinguished from its rounded tail.
- Then comes Borelli: an umbrella dwarf cichlid, in a blue color body with yellow fins.
- The last but not the least is Trifasciata, popular because of their three black stripes with blue fins.
These species of fish are easy to breed at home.
Apistogramma Breeding
If you have any experience with freshwater fish or breeding, an apistogramma specie is commonly bred, and the best choice for beginners. This fish requires minimal mediation. Moreover, some species are hard to breed so it is important to research first. The problem faced by aquarists while purchasing apistos is mistaking subdominant ‘sneaker male’.
After having the confirmed pair, set up a 10 gallon breeding tank. If the tank bottom is empty its okay, but some prefer a layer of sand in planted tanks. Provided them with the hiding spots in the front and breeding caves in the corner. Make sure that caves don’t face each other to avoid aggression between females. Keep in mind, use a sponge filter for gentle water flow which will not harm fry.
Moreover, the female stays with the egg and fry while male defends the territory. Fry feed with the live food.
Feeding
The apistogramma stays on a balanced diet to stay healthy. They eat foods that are rich in protein such as black worms and blood worms, they also should be provided with fiber to avoid bloating. The food with fibrous leaves comes from plant food and crustaceans like brine shrimps. Moreover, apistogramma more like to have small pellets, repsahy gel and some sinking options.
Are Apistogramma aggressive?
Apistogramma are semi-aggressive they are good for community aquarium. They primarly lives at the lower bottom of the tank. They should be keep with the species that take place at the upper or the middle of the tank. They can be keep with pencil fish, hatchet fish and tetras. However, they also prey on dwarf shrimps, baby fish or any small creature that can fit in their mouth.
Moreover, its is advisable that they should not keep with the bettas; they are also territorial and aggressive. They should keep with the good community friendly fish.
To sum up…
Apistogramma is the best choice for the aquarists and it is beginner friendly. These are territorial fish, have fascinating colors, and are easy to breed. As a peaceful territorial instinct to keep them one should understand their environment and their needs. With a proper tank set up, balanced diet and thoughtful space management, dwarf cichlids can survive in community aquariums.
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