Apistogrammas and Dwarf Cichlids in the Aquarium

News

June 9, 2012
I've been meaning to recommend Tom Christoffersen's article Collecting in the Río Tahuayo and the Río Tamshiyacu drainages 2011. In it, Tom recounts his search for the different forms of Apistogramma panduro. Its an excellent photo essay so check it out.
If you enjoy reading about collecting expeditions be sure to check out our collecting dwarf cichlids page where I have a host of stories and information about collecting in the wild.

April 20, 2012
After a very long break I have posted a new fish profile today. Apistogramma baenschi is a great fish. It is easy to keep and breed, very beautiful and is typically out in front and easily seen. I have been keeping this species for several years and it has become a favorite of mine.

February 15, 2012
A new electronic version only magazine has published its first issue. Aquarium International is a truly international collaboration that features some of the best aquarists in the world who provide great, in-depth content. The magazine is designed to be viewed on an Ipad and is full of interactive features. However, a pdf version is also offered. Issue 0 is now out and is being offered free.

Selected Older Items

October 20, 2011
    Since a fire destroyed the inventory of the English language version of Cichlid Atlas Vol. 1 this best ever book has not been available. However, recently some copies of this treasure have surfaced and are now available at Amazon for $65. This is a super bargain and there is no telling how many copies are available so be sure to grab this book now. It is the very best Apistogramma book ever written. I have a full review of the book here. Be sure to check it out this amazing book at Amazon Baensch/Mergus Cichlid Atlas, Vol. 1

September 20, 2011
    There are well over 300 different species, subspecies or forms of Apistogramma and it is almost impossible for any one person to be familiar with them all. Fortunately for us all, Mike Wise is one person who not only keeps up with every form and variation but understands how they all relate to each other. Mike has provided an incredible service to us all by publishing his Apistogramma Species List By Species-Groups/Complexes August, 2011. This is the definitive listing of Apistogrammas and if you are serious about these fish you will want to bookmark and save this page.

August 7, 2009
    A new fish that has generated a lot of interest among dwarf cichlid fans is the brilliantly blue color form of the Blue Ram, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. These fish appeared on the market in the late spring and there were large quantities available for import from Asia and Germany. They are commonly sold as "Electric Blue Rams" but are also marketed under similar names. Read more and see photos of the Electric Blue Ram

May 25, 2009
     You are never too young to fall in love with dwarf cichlids and many young people enjoy keeping and breeding them. However, for most, the thought that they might someday collect their own Apistogrammas in the wilds of the Amazon is only a dream.
     For one young hobbyist the dream became a reality and Hudson, from Manaus, Brazil has taken a great interest in dwarf cichlids at a young age. He has started his own blog and has recently put on a page describing his collecting trip to the Amazon river near the village of Itapeaçu. You can read the complete description of this and other collecting trips he has made at Hudson's World.

April 10, 2009
I've always wanted to go on a fish collecting expedition but never have. I console myself by reading the accounts of others and have put together a page of resources about collecting dwarf cichlids. There are lots of stories of collecting trips along with a listing of expedition providers as well as some other interesting info. If you have ever wondered about a fish collecting trip check this page out!

Jan 10, 2009
   Apistogramma sp. "Steel Blue" is commonly found in pet stores and they are quite attractive. However there are a lot of problems surrounding this Apisto. Check out the new Apistogramma sp. "Steel Blue" page for more info.

   I love to collect aquarium books and I 've found a great new source for adding to my collection. Bookcloseouts.com offers closeout books at amazing prices. They have a good stock of aquarium titles that changes depending on availability check them out to find some quality books at great prices.

Contact Me

From the In-Box

Oak Leaves?
December 9, 2012
Question: I noticed that you suggest to put oak leaves in the cichlid tank. I was just wondering if any type of oak leaf would work? I'm from nebraska and we have a lot of bur oaks. Would thier leaves be ok in my tank?
    Answer: As far as I know, every type of oak leaf will work just fine. I have used Bur Oak leaves a lot and I know that they will work fine. They will last in the tank for a couple of months before they start to significantly deteriorate.

Lowering pH?
March 21, 2009
Question: I set up a new tank nearly two months ago now. My PH 2 days after a water change is 8.0, a week after water change is 8.0. I can't get my PH below 8.0, what do I need to do? The tank has drift wood and a few plants, but I've been told that the wood or plants will not impact PH. I prefer not to use chemicals to alter PH, any suggestions? ?
    Answer: This is a very common problem for many people. Most likely your water has minerals in it that keep the pH at 8.0. This natural buffering capacity makes it hard to get the pH to stay lower. It is also possible that your substrate adds buffering capacity as well as any rocks you might have. Driftwood and plants will not raise pH. You can add chemicals but that will often only work for a short time until the pH rises again. I strongly suggest that you not try to use chemicals to solve your problem. Actually, a pH of 8.0 might allow you to succeed with many dwarf cichlids. Many tanks raised apistos can handle this as can many rams. I would suggest that you try starting with your regular water and see how the fish do. If they do not thrive then you can look at other alternatives. Here is a page with more info about good water for Apistogramma

Flake Food?
January 29, 2009
Question: What brand of flake food do you recommend?
    Answer: I don't feed flake food to my fish. I use so many floating plants that floating foods don't work for me. Instead I use sinking pellets to feed my Apistogrammas and other fish. If they worked for me I would not hesitate to feed flake as almost all of the flakes on the market today provide good balanced nutrition for your fish. Rather than brand I would focus on freshness and variety. Once you open the food it begins to lose quality. After 6 months it has lost a lot of the quality of new. My advice is buy small containers of food and use them as quick as possible. If you have old stale food throw it away and get fresh. You can read more about how I feed at Good Food and at Equipment.
.

Ask A Question In-Box Archives

New Fish News

July 2012 Apistogramma allpahuayo is now the official name for the fish that has been known as A. sp. Back Chin. Often confused for A. jurensis this fish is often available from specialty importers.

December 15, 2011 Apistogramma playayacu sp. n. has recently been described by Uwe Romer, Joscha Beninde & Ingo Hahn. This species is only known from a museum collection and has never been in the aquarium hobby. However, detailed collection information is available to the adventurous collector.

April 14, 2011 Apistogramma cinilabra has recently been described By Uwe Romer. This is a species that has been in the hobby as A. sp. Schwarzbrust/Black-breast. However, it has not been widely distributed.

September 4, 2010 Dicrossus foirni and Dicrossus warzeli are two newly described South American dwarf cichlids. Each of these species has been in the hobby for a number of years so it is good to have them finally named.

August 7, 2009 Enigmatochromis lucanusi is now the proper name for the fish the hobby has known as Pelvicachromis sp. ?blue fin?. The species was thought to be closely related to Pelvicachromis roloffi but the describer, Dr. Anton Lamboj, judged the fish to be unique enough that he actually created a new genus for it.

May 18, 2009 Laetacara araguaiae is now the correct name for the fish that the hobby has known as Laetacara sp. "bukelkopf" following its formal description by Felipe P. Ottoni & Wilson J. E. M. Costa. Along with their description of the pair also re described Laetacara dorsigera. Along with the clarification that this article provides, it also creates some confusion as the authors mention another species, L. minutacara, without any info as to what this species might be. We can only hope that this is another description that they have in progress.

November 23, 2008 Apistogramma erythrura is a newly described species that has been in the hobby for some time as Apistogramma sp. Mamore. This is a very attractive Apisto that is most closely related to Apistogramma trifasciata. The species has been in the hobby since 1995 when it was introduced in Germany. The description is interesting reading for dwarf cichlid fans and includes several nice color photos.

New Fish News Archive

Apistogrammas and other dwarf cichlids evoke great passion among many fish keepers. Apistogrammas are the most popular dwarf cichlids but all dwarf cichlids are great aquarium fish that come in a rainbow of colors, exhibit fascinating behavior and can usually be kept in a community aquarium.

Male Apistogramma sp. Red Lobes Rio Xingu

photo enlarges
Male Apistogramma Xingu

There is no strict definition of what a dwarf cichlid is but there are a number of fishes that are commonly considered dwarfs. These are the dwarf cichlids like Apistogramma that are found in South America and West Africa.

South American dwarf cichlids include Apistogramma, Apistogrammoides, Biotoecus, Crenicara, Dicrossus, Laetacara, Nannacara, Microgeophagus and Taeniacara. There are more species of Apistogramma than the others combined but the Blue Ram cichlid, Microgeophagus ramerizi, is not only the most popular and widely kept dwarf cichlid but an all time favorite among all tropical fish. This fish was once known as Apistogramma ramerizi but it is not an Apistogramma species.

Pelvicachromis and Nanochromis are the two most popular West African Dwarf Cichlids. The different Pelvicachromis species are generally more available than the Nanochromis.The ever popular krib or kribensis, Pelvicachromis pulcher, has long been a popular tropical fish and cichlid lovers have kept them in their aquariums for many years. If you have never kept dwarf cichlids Kribs are a great first choice.

The information in keeping and breeding Apistogrammas and other dwarf cichlids includes sections on foods & feeding, aquarium set up, aquarium maintenance, aquarium plants, fish health and much more.

One of the biggest problems with Apistogrammas and other dwarf cichlids is finding them! Check out our Buying Fish section for information on where to find these exotic tropical fish.

You can find a lot of information about Rams, Kribs, Apistogrammas and other dwarf cichlids on the Internet. However, I strongly recommend that you purchase one or more of the books available. Visit our book reviews to learn about the books that are available.

Apistogramma cacatuoides male

Finally, several times a month I get a smile when I check my mail and discover a new issue of one of my favorite aquarium magazines has arrived. Reading these great magazines each month helps to keep me energized and inspired. If you want to enjoy your hobby more I strongly recommend subscribing to one of the excellent publications available. You can read my thoughts about them in our magazine reviews. Most of the magazines have Apistogramma articles at times and general dwarf cichlid information is frequently presented.

Take some time to explore our site. We hope to be your source for quality information about all aspects of enjoying Apistogramma and other dwarf cichlids in your own aquarium. If you have any questions, comments or criticisms please Contact Me

Dwarfcichlid.com Practical Information About Keeping, Breeding and Buying Dwarf Cichlids
Drop_down_Tab_menu Home Aquarium Care Good Food Good Habitat Good Water Aquarium Plants Equipment & Supplies Dwarf Cichlid Books Dwarf Cichlid Books Aquarium Magazines Learn More Mail Box Q&A New Fish Discoveries Expeditions and Collecting Buying Dwarf Cichlids Buying Dwarf Cichlids Internet Sources Pet Stores About Us Contact Me
Fish Profiles & Photos South American Apistogramma agassizii atahualpa baenschi borellii cacatuoides commbrae geisleri gephyra gibbiceps hongsloi iniridae macmasteri ortmanni panduro paucisquamis pertensis rubrolineata sp. "Abacaxis" sp. "Putumayo" sp. "Steel Blue" steindachneri uaupesi xingu Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis Dicrossus filamentosus Laetacara curviceps Mikrogeophagus altispinosa ramirezi Breeding Rams West African Nanochromis parilus transvestitus Pelvicachromis pulcher roloffi subocellatus taeniatus Please help! Your contribution of any amount will help support the site.	Apistogrammas and Dwarf Cichlids in the Aquarium News June 9, 2012 I've been meaning to recommend Tom Christoffersen's article Collecting in the Río Tahuayo and the Río Tamshiyacu drainages 2011. In it, Tom recounts his search for the different forms of Apistogramma panduro. Its an excellent photo essay so check it out. If you enjoy reading about collecting expeditions be sure to check out our collecting dwarf cichlids page where I have a host of stories and information about collecting in the wild. April 20, 2012 After a very long break I have posted a new fish profile today. Apistogramma baenschi is a great fish. It is easy to keep and breed, very beautiful and is typically out in front and easily seen. I have been keeping this species for several years and it has become a favorite of mine. February 15, 2012 A new electronic version only magazine has published its first issue. Aquarium International is a truly international collaboration that features some of the best aquarists in the world who provide great, in-depth content. The magazine is designed to be viewed on an Ipad and is full of interactive features. However, a pdf version is also offered. Issue 0 is now out and is being offered free. Selected Older Items October 20, 2011 Since a fire destroyed the inventory of the English language version of Cichlid Atlas Vol. 1 this best ever book has not been available. However, recently some copies of this treasure have surfaced and are now available at Amazon for $65. This is a super bargain and there is no telling how many copies are available so be sure to grab this book now. It is the very best Apistogramma book ever written. I have a full review of the book here. Be sure to check it out this amazing book at Amazon Baensch/Mergus Cichlid Atlas, Vol. 1 September 20, 2011 There are well over 300 different species, subspecies or forms of Apistogramma and it is almost impossible for any one person to be familiar with them all. Fortunately for us all, Mike Wise is one person who not only keeps up with every form and variation but understands how they all relate to each other. Mike has provided an incredible service to us all by publishing his Apistogramma Species List By Species-Groups/Complexes August, 2011. This is the definitive listing of Apistogrammas and if you are serious about these fish you will want to bookmark and save this page. August 7, 2009 A new fish that has generated a lot of interest among dwarf cichlid fans is the brilliantly blue color form of the Blue Ram, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. These fish appeared on the market in the late spring and there were large quantities available for import from Asia and Germany. They are commonly sold as "Electric Blue Rams" but are also marketed under similar names. Read more and see photos of the Electric Blue Ram May 25, 2009 You are never too young to fall in love with dwarf cichlids and many young people enjoy keeping and breeding them. However, for most, the thought that they might someday collect their own Apistogrammas in the wilds of the Amazon is only a dream. For one young hobbyist the dream became a reality and Hudson, from Manaus, Brazil has taken a great interest in dwarf cichlids at a young age. He has started his own blog and has recently put on a page describing his collecting trip to the Amazon river near the village of Itapeaçu. You can read the complete description of this and other collecting trips he has made at Hudson's World. April 10, 2009 I've always wanted to go on a fish collecting expedition but never have. I console myself by reading the accounts of others and have put together a page of resources about collecting dwarf cichlids. There are lots of stories of collecting trips along with a listing of expedition providers as well as some other interesting info. If you have ever wondered about a fish collecting trip check this page out! Jan 10, 2009 Apistogramma sp. "Steel Blue" is commonly found in pet stores and they are quite attractive. However there are a lot of problems surrounding this Apisto. Check out the new Apistogramma sp. "Steel Blue" page for more info. I love to collect aquarium books and I 've found a great new source for adding to my collection. Bookcloseouts.com offers closeout books at amazing prices. They have a good stock of aquarium titles that changes depending on availability check them out to find some quality books at great prices. Contact Me From the In-Box Oak Leaves? December 9, 2012 Question: I noticed that you suggest to put oak leaves in the cichlid tank. I was just wondering if any type of oak leaf would work? I'm from nebraska and we have a lot of bur oaks. Would thier leaves be ok in my tank? Answer: As far as I know, every type of oak leaf will work just fine. I have used Bur Oak leaves a lot and I know that they will work fine. They will last in the tank for a couple of months before they start to significantly deteriorate. Lowering pH? March 21, 2009 Question: I set up a new tank nearly two months ago now. My PH 2 days after a water change is 8.0, a week after water change is 8.0. I can't get my PH below 8.0, what do I need to do? The tank has drift wood and a few plants, but I've been told that the wood or plants will not impact PH. I prefer not to use chemicals to alter PH, any suggestions? ? Answer: This is a very common problem for many people. Most likely your water has minerals in it that keep the pH at 8.0. This natural buffering capacity makes it hard to get the pH to stay lower. It is also possible that your substrate adds buffering capacity as well as any rocks you might have. Driftwood and plants will not raise pH. You can add chemicals but that will often only work for a short time until the pH rises again. I strongly suggest that you not try to use chemicals to solve your problem. Actually, a pH of 8.0 might allow you to succeed with many dwarf cichlids. Many tanks raised apistos can handle this as can many rams. I would suggest that you try starting with your regular water and see how the fish do. If they do not thrive then you can look at other alternatives. Here is a page with more info about good water for Apistogramma Flake Food? January 29, 2009 Question: What brand of flake food do you recommend? Answer: I don't feed flake food to my fish. I use so many floating plants that floating foods don't work for me. Instead I use sinking pellets to feed my Apistogrammas and other fish. If they worked for me I would not hesitate to feed flake as almost all of the flakes on the market today provide good balanced nutrition for your fish. Rather than brand I would focus on freshness and variety. Once you open the food it begins to lose quality. After 6 months it has lost a lot of the quality of new. My advice is buy small containers of food and use them as quick as possible. If you have old stale food throw it away and get fresh. You can read more about how I feed at Good Food and at Equipment. . Ask A Question In-Box Archives New Fish News July 2012 Apistogramma allpahuayo is now the official name for the fish that has been known as A. sp. Back Chin. Often confused for A. jurensis this fish is often available from specialty importers. December 15, 2011 Apistogramma playayacu sp. n. has recently been described by Uwe Romer, Joscha Beninde & Ingo Hahn. This species is only known from a museum collection and has never been in the aquarium hobby. However, detailed collection information is available to the adventurous collector. April 14, 2011 Apistogramma cinilabra has recently been described By Uwe Romer. This is a species that has been in the hobby as A. sp. Schwarzbrust/Black-breast. However, it has not been widely distributed. September 4, 2010 Dicrossus foirni and Dicrossus warzeli are two newly described South American dwarf cichlids. Each of these species has been in the hobby for a number of years so it is good to have them finally named. August 7, 2009 Enigmatochromis lucanusi is now the proper name for the fish the hobby has known as Pelvicachromis sp. ?blue fin?. The species was thought to be closely related to Pelvicachromis roloffi but the describer, Dr. Anton Lamboj, judged the fish to be unique enough that he actually created a new genus for it. May 18, 2009 Laetacara araguaiae is now the correct name for the fish that the hobby has known as Laetacara sp. "bukelkopf" following its formal description by Felipe P. Ottoni & Wilson J. E. M. Costa. Along with their description of the pair also re described Laetacara dorsigera. Along with the clarification that this article provides, it also creates some confusion as the authors mention another species, L. minutacara, without any info as to what this species might be. We can only hope that this is another description that they have in progress. November 23, 2008 Apistogramma erythrura is a newly described species that has been in the hobby for some time as Apistogramma sp. Mamore. This is a very attractive Apisto that is most closely related to Apistogramma trifasciata. The species has been in the hobby since 1995 when it was introduced in Germany. The description is interesting reading for dwarf cichlid fans and includes several nice color photos. New Fish News Archive Apistogrammas and other dwarf cichlids evoke great passion among many fish keepers. Apistogrammas are the most popular dwarf cichlids but all dwarf cichlids are great aquarium fish that come in a rainbow of colors, exhibit fascinating behavior and can usually be kept in a community aquarium. photo enlarges Male Apistogramma Xingu There is no strict definition of what a dwarf cichlid is but there are a number of fishes that are commonly considered dwarfs. These are the dwarf cichlids like Apistogramma that are found in South America and West Africa. South American dwarf cichlids include Apistogramma, Apistogrammoides, Biotoecus, Crenicara, Dicrossus, Laetacara, Nannacara, Microgeophagus and Taeniacara. There are more species of Apistogramma than the others combined but the Blue Ram cichlid, Microgeophagus ramerizi, is not only the most popular and widely kept dwarf cichlid but an all time favorite among all tropical fish. This fish was once known as Apistogramma ramerizi but it is not an Apistogramma species. Pelvicachromis and Nanochromis are the two most popular West African Dwarf Cichlids. The different Pelvicachromis species are generally more available than the Nanochromis.The ever popular krib or kribensis, Pelvicachromis pulcher, has long been a popular tropical fish and cichlid lovers have kept them in their aquariums for many years. If you have never kept dwarf cichlids Kribs are a great first choice. The information in keeping and breeding Apistogrammas and other dwarf cichlids includes sections on foods & feeding, aquarium set up, aquarium maintenance, aquarium plants, fish health and much more. One of the biggest problems with Apistogrammas and other dwarf cichlids is finding them! Check out our Buying Fish section for information on where to find these exotic tropical fish. You can find a lot of information about Rams, Kribs, Apistogrammas and other dwarf cichlids on the Internet. However, I strongly recommend that you purchase one or more of the books available. Visit our book reviews to learn about the books that are available. Apistogramma cacatuoides male Finally, several times a month I get a smile when I check my mail and discover a new issue of one of my favorite aquarium magazines has arrived. Reading these great magazines each month helps to keep me energized and inspired. If you want to enjoy your hobby more I strongly recommend subscribing to one of the excellent publications available. You can read my thoughts about them in our magazine reviews. Most of the magazines have Apistogramma articles at times and general dwarf cichlid information is frequently presented. Take some time to explore our site. We hope to be your source for quality information about all aspects of enjoying Apistogramma and other dwarf cichlids in your own aquarium. If you have any questions, comments or criticisms please Contact Me Dwarfcichlid.com - practical advice about keeping, breeding and buying Apistogramma, Microgeophagus and other dwarf cichlids.

Practical Information About Keeping, Breeding and Buying Dwarf Cichlids

Apistogrammas and Dwarf Cichlids in the Aquarium