Iniridae Apisto (Apistogramma iniridae) Care Guide
Apistogramma iniridae is a Colombian blackwater dwarf cichlid restricted to the Inirida River basin and listed as Vulnerable by IUCN.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Apistogramma iniridae is a dwarf cichlid described by Kullander in 1979. The species name refers to the Rio Inirida in Guainia, Colombia, where the type material was collected. It is a blackwater specialist with a restricted range.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Apistogramma
- Scientific name: Apistogramma iniridae
- Described by: Kullander, 1979
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Orinoco River basin, specifically the Inirida River basin in Colombia. Like most Apistogramma, it occupies sheltered freshwater with leaf litter and slow water movement (Wikipedia, genus account).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 26-30 C (79-86 F)
- pH: 4.0-6.0
- GH: 1-3 dGH
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
Members of the genus are omnivorous but tend toward micropredation, taking insect larvae and small invertebrates (Wikipedia). In the aquarium, Apistogramma are best offered live and frozen foods such as Artemia, Daphnia and chironomid larvae, with most accepting dried pellets (Seriously Fish, genus account).
Compatibility
The KB record classifies the species as bottom-dwelling and semi-aggressive. For the genus, Seriously Fish advises keeping wild fish alone or with small dither fishes and not mixing different Apistogramma in one aquarium.
Breeding
As a typical Apistogramma it spawns in crevices or cavities, with the female providing most post-spawning care of eggs and fry (Seriously Fish, genus account; Wikipedia).
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (criteria B1ab(iii,v), assessed 1 August 2020), per FishBase, reflecting its restricted distribution and habitat pressures.
Apistogramma iniridae Breeding Guide
Overview
Apistogramma iniridae is a dwarf cichlid from the Orinoco basin, in the Inirida River basin, Colombia. FishBase records males to 3.6 cm SL and females to 5.0 cm, an acidic natural pH of 5.5-6.0, and confirms it is a harem breeder with female-tended cave clutches. Compared with most species in this shard, breeding data here is comparatively well documented.
Sexing
FishBase notes that immature males and females look alike, so reliable sexing comes with maturity. For the genus, mature males are larger with more extended, pointed unpaired fins and stronger colour, while females are smaller and rounder.
Conditioning
The species is a carnivorous micropredator (FishBase trophic level about 3.3) best conditioned on small live and frozen invertebrate foods, in a soft, warm, acidic blackwater tank reflecting its Inirida origin.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: 23-31 °C (FishBase)
- pH: 5.5-6.0 (FishBase)
- dH: from about 5 (FishBase)
- Spawning sites: enclosed caves; female deposits eggs on the cave ceiling
- Layout: sand substrate with small caves for a harem (one male, several females)
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase states that the female deposits 80-120 eggs at the cave ceiling and tends the clutch, and that the species is a harem breeder. Consistent with the genus, the male holds a territory containing several females. Soft, warm, acidic blackwater reproducing the natural habitat triggers spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
The female tends the clutch of 80-120 eggs and guards the larvae and free-swimming fry, while the male defends the territory, following the harem care pattern recorded for this species and the genus. For Apistogramma generally, warmer and more acidic water tends to skew the sex ratio toward males.
Common Challenges
Holding very soft, acidic blackwater stably is essential, and instability undermines egg viability. IUCN lists A. iniridae as Vulnerable (assessed 2020, criterion B1ab(iii,v)), so wild-collected stock warrants particular care.