Elizabeth's Apisto (Apistogramma elizabethae) Care Guide
Apistogramma elizabethae is a blackwater dwarf cichlid from the upper rio Negro system in Brazil, requiring very soft, acidic water.
Overview
Apistogramma elizabethae is a small geophagine dwarf cichlid described by Kullander in 1980. It originates from the upper rio Negro drainage in northwestern Brazil and is a specialist of soft, acidic blackwater. The species name honours Elizabeth Cabot Cary Agassiz (1822-1907).
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Apistogramma
- Scientific name: Apistogramma elizabethae
- Described by: Kullander, 1980
Habitat
According to FishBase and Seriously Fish, the species is found in the lower rio Uaupes (Amazonas state, Brazil) and the adjacent rio Icana, both tributaries of the upper rio Negro. It inhabits slower-moving tributaries, backwaters and creeks where leaf litter accumulates on the substrate.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 26-30 C (79-86 F)
- pH: 4.0-6.0
- GH: 1-3 dGH
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
Seriously Fish describes the species as primarily carnivorous, feeding on benthic invertebrates in nature. In the aquarium it should regularly receive live and frozen foods such as Artemia, Daphnia, Moina and chironomid larvae; most specimens also learn to accept dried foods, with pellets generally preferred to flake.
Compatibility
Per Seriously Fish, this species is best maintained alone or with small dither fishes such as Nannostomus species, and ideally should not be mixed with other Apistogramma. The KB record classifies it as a bottom-dwelling, semi-aggressive species.
Breeding
It is a substrate (cave) spawner that lays eggs in crevices or cavities. The female provides most post-spawning care of eggs and fry; in smaller aquaria the male may need to be removed because the female can become highly aggressive. Fry are reported to be sensitive to changes in water chemistry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 7 November 2018), per FishBase.