Apistogramma borellii Breeding Guide

How to breed Apistogramma borellii: sexing, a cave-spawning setup, the female's brood care, and raising the fry on small live foods.

Overview

Apistogramma borellii is a South American dwarf cichlid from the Paraguay and Paraná river systems. It is a cave (crevice) spawner in which the female takes sole responsibility for the eggs and fry. Compared with many congeners it tolerates cooler, harder water, which makes it one of the more approachable Apistogramma to breed.

Sexing

Males are larger, more colourful and develop more extended fins than females. Mature females become noticeably plumper when carrying eggs and intensify in colour around spawning.

Conditioning

Feeding rich foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp helps bring the fish into condition. In the wild the species breeds during the rainy season in response to an influx of food, so a varied, generous diet supports spawning readiness.

Breeding Setup

A base area of about 45 x 30 cm is acceptable for a single pair. Provide several crevices or cavities among the décor, for example ceramic flowerpots or sections of plastic piping, so the female can choose a spawning site. Adding Indian almond leaves or another source of tannins helps simulate the soft, flooded margins of the natural habitat. Maintain water within roughly 20-26 C; the species accepts a wide pH band (around 5.0-8.0 depending on origin).

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The female lures the male into the cave to spawn, then drives him out and tends the eggs herself, fanning them for about 36 hours until they hatch. Eggs are normally laid in crevices or cavities among the décor.

Egg & Fry Care

After hatching the female guards the brood closely as they grow. In smaller aquaria the female may become hyper-aggressive, and the male sometimes has to be removed for his own safety. Newly mobile fry take small live foods of an appropriate size as they develop.

Common Challenges

Cramped quarters can lead to fatal aggression between the pair, so adequate space and cover are important. Soft, tannin-stained water and a settled, low-disturbance environment improve the chances of the female raising a brood successfully.