Dark-Backed Apisto (Apistogramma eremnopyge) Care Guide
Apistogramma eremnopyge is a South American dwarf cichlid; this guide covers its habitat, water parameters, diet, compatibility and breeding.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Apistogramma eremnopyge is a dwarf cichlid of the family Cichlidae, described by Ready & Kullander, 2004. It is native to the Rio Pintuyacu, a tributary of the Rio Itaya in Peru. According to FishBase, it reaches about 3.4 cm in standard length (males to 3.4 cm SL; females to 2.8 cm SL).
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Scientific name: Apistogramma eremnopyge
- Describing authority: Ready & Kullander, 2004
Habitat
The Rio Pintuyacu, a tributary of the Rio Itaya in Peru forms the natural range of this species. It inhabits soft, acidic blackwater stained amber by tannins from decaying leaf litter, with little water movement. Apistogramma species typically occur in shallow water, often less than 40 cm deep.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (~21 US gal)
- Temperature: 25-29 °C (77-84 °F)
- pH: 4.5-6.5
- GH: 1-4 °dGH
- Adult size: 5-7 cm
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
Apistogramma are omnivores that lean toward micropredation, feeding on aquatic insect larvae, small invertebrates and other tiny prey in nature. In the aquarium they take live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and water fleas, and many specimens also accept prepared foods.
Compatibility
This is a semi-aggressive, bottom-oriented dwarf cichlid. It is best kept with peaceful upper- and mid-water dither fish such as Cardinal Tetra, Rummy-Nose Tetra, Sterbai Corydoras, Hatchetfish. Housing more than one male of the same species, or combining it with angelfish or larger aggressive cichlids, is discouraged because of territorial conflict, particularly during breeding.
Breeding
Apistogramma are cave spawners. Eggs are laid on the ceiling of a cave or sheltered cavity, and the female tends the eggs and fry while the male guards the wider territory. Soft, slightly acidic water supports spawning.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2014.
Apistogramma eremnopyge Breeding Guide
Overview
Apistogramma eremnopyge (DATZ code A218) is a dwarf cichlid endemic to the Loreto region of northeastern Peru, where it inhabits slower-moving tributaries, backwaters and creeks with soft, clear or blackwater conditions and accumulated leaf litter. Seriously Fish describes it as a substrate spawner that deposits eggs in crevices or cavities among the decor, with males establishing territories while females guard the eggs and offspring.
Sexing
Males are notably larger and more colourful, with extended fins, particularly the dorsal and anal fins, compared to females. Males reach about 7 cm while females reach a maximum of around 5 cm standard length.
Conditioning
As a carnivorous dwarf cichlid, A. eremnopyge is conditioned on small live and frozen foods. Soft, clear or blackwater conditions and consistent feeding prepare females for spawning.
Breeding Setup
Provide caves or crevices among the decor. Seriously Fish lists breeding parameters of 22-28 degrees C with optimal spawning around 25 degrees C, pH 4.0-6.0 and hardness of 18-90 ppm. Monogamous pairs are challenging: the species can apparently be maintained in pairs only when other conspecific pairs are visible in adjacent tanks, while in larger setups groups of several males with up to three times as many females are preferable.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
The female deposits eggs inside a cavity, with 50-150 eggs reported per spawn. At 25 degrees C the eggs hatch in approximately two days, and the fry become free-swimming after a further 5-6 days. Stable soft, acidic water at moderate temperature triggers and sustains spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
The female guards the eggs and leads the fry, which initially require microscopic foods before accepting Artemia nauplii. After 4-8 weeks females drive the juveniles away, though males tolerate them for longer. Seriously Fish notes that temperatures in excess of 27 degrees C are known to have a detrimental effect on fry survival.
Common Challenges
Keeping temperatures below 27 degrees C is critical for fry survival. Establishing stable pairs is also difficult, so visual contact with neighbouring pairs or a multi-male/multi-female group in a larger tank improves results. Wikipedia also notes that across the genus water conditions affect offspring sex ratios, with warmer water and, in some species, lower pH producing more males, which reinforces the value of keeping temperature moderate and stable.