Apistogramma Macmasteri : A Red Shoulder Fish

By John Bradford 6 Min Read
Apistogramma Macmasteri

Apistogramma macmasteri is also known as red shoulder dwarf cichlid. This fish belongs to cichlid family. This is a fresh water specie living in rivers of Guaytiquia and meta river systems. The red shoulder fish lives with soft sand, dried and dead roots in water. They are not preferred to live with plants, so plants are rare in their area. Their maximum length is of about 7cm. This is Macmasteri specie. 

The McMaster found this specie in kullander  in 1973. Aquarist bred variants with various bright colors. It is reported that this specie can crossbred with Apistogramma viejita. The Apistogramma macmasteri prefer to live in water 23-29 degree temperature, in soft acidic pH level water. 

Appearance

Apistogramma macmasteri is stunning striking red fish, coloration across the shoulder and upper body. The fish is approximatly about 2.8 inches. This specie is peaceful and social and good for ideal tanks. Red shoulder dwarf cichlid is adaptable in different water conditions. They are active and involve in interesting display and interactions with harems.

Types of Apistos

For aquarist one of the enjoyable thing 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 differet shades of red and in orange Flash.
  • Agassizii : comes in fire red and gold and distinguish from its rounded tail.
  • Then comes Borelli: a umbrella dwarf cichlid, in blue color body with yellow fins.
  • The last but not the least is Trifasciata popular because of their three black strips with blue fins.

These species of fish are easy to breed at home. 

Apistogramma Macmasteri Breeding

The good thing about this family specie is they are easy to breed. Female Apistogramma macmasteri lays salom color eggs, on the roof of their cave and protect them alone. While male Apistogramma macmasteri  guards the territory. The y shoild be provide with the soft acidic water with 6-7 pH level. Give them the small huts, caves or any shell like coconut where female lays egg. These spots are the hiding spots for them that create secure environment for breeding.  They mimic females in appearance to attract them and to avoid conflict. They new born called fry, they feed with freshly hatched brine shrimps and powdered food. 

Apistogramma Macmasteri

Feeding

The  Apistogramma macmasteri  stays on balance 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 the fiber to avoid bloating. The food with fibrous comes from plant food and crustaceans like brine shrimps. Moreover, apistogramma more like to have small pellets, repsahy gel and some sinking options.

Tank size and parameters

Water tank size should of 20 gallon with temaperature 24-28 degree in celsius. And 75-82 degrees in fahrenhiet’s.

Are Apistogramma Macmasteri Aggressive?

However, Apistogramma macmasteri   are quite peaceful, as they are from cichlid family they are become aggressive some times. After knowing that they become aggressive, than second question arises in your mind “when they got aggressive”?

They usually become at the territorial dispute and at the time of breeding. They become aggressive not only while establishing territory, in maintainig the territory. Male Apistogramma macmasteri   tracking other apistos and fish when they close to territory.

Whereas, at the time of breeding, not only males but also females become extremely aggressive about their spawning site. Usually females allow male fish to track the other fish, but they also stand by there to protect their eggs by own. 

How to reduce their aggression? is another question which is frequently asked. So the answer of this is that to reduce apistogramma aggression minimize the planted frames which makes them aggressive. Secondly, the acquarist should place objects like driftwood and other objects that makes places for apistogramma. This will helps them to stop guarding the whole tank.

At last…

Apistogramma macmasteri  is the best choice for the aquarists and its beginner friendly. These are territorial fish, have fascinating colors, and easy to breed. They can also change their colors during breeding. As peaceful territorial instinct to keep them one should understand their environment and their needs. With a proper tank set up, balance diet and thoughtful space management, red shoulder dwarf cichlid can survive in community aquarium.

Read More About the Identical Species: Apistogramma Cacatuoides a Cichlid American Fish

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