Apistogramma piauiense

84°F
Explanation of the symbols

68°F
Family : Cichlidae
Origin : Brazil
Length : 6 cm - 2,5"
Min.length aquarium : 100 cm - 40"
Peaceful fish but during breeding time they are very aggressive and territorial.  Then they chase all other fishes in the aquarium and they need a lot of space.  You can keep them together with other small schooling fish of the upper swimming levels.  The aquarium should be set up with stones, driftwood and roots, and on the sides and background densely planted, because they need hiding places.  You should use a substrate of fine sand and some oak- or beechleaves.

You should give them small live food, for instance Artemia, Cyclops or small waterflees.

Breeding is not difficult.  Mostly they are monogamous, so a male has only one female.  Up to 150 eggs are laid and fertilized in a cave.  After 48 hours they hatch and 10 days later the young fishes are swimming free.  You can feed them with baby brine shrimp.  They grow very slowly.

Photo Credit

Uwe Römer

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