Norbert's Apisto (Apistogramma norberti) Care Guide
Apistogramma norberti is a Peruvian dwarf cichlid from jungle streams near Iquitos, kept in soft, acidic water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Apistogramma norberti is a dwarf cichlid described by Staeck in 1991 and named after aquarist Norbert Wiesheu, who first kept the species and established its origin. It comes from the Peruvian Amazon near Iquitos.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Apistogramma
- Scientific name: Apistogramma norberti
- Described by: Staeck, 1991
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Tahuayo River basin within the Amazon basin of Peru. Seriously Fish adds the Rio Tahuayo and Rio Tamshiyacu basins near Iquitos, in minor jungle streams that undergo significant changes in water volume through the year.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 25-29 C (77-84 F)
- pH: 4.5-6.5
- GH: 1-5 dGH
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
The species is primarily carnivorous and feeds mostly on benthic invertebrates in nature (Seriously Fish). In the aquarium it accepts live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm, plus dried pellets.
Compatibility
According to Seriously Fish, captive-raised specimens suit community tanks, while wild fish should be kept alone or with small dither fishes such as certain tetras or livebearers and should not be mixed with other Apistogramma. The KB record lists it as bottom-dwelling and semi-aggressive.
Breeding
It is a substrate spawner that lays eggs in crevices, with the female providing post-spawning care; in smaller tanks the male may require removal due to female aggression. Seriously Fish notes that base dimensions of about 45 x 30 cm suit a single breeding pair.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient (assessed 25 April 2014), per FishBase.
Apistogramma norberti Breeding Guide
Overview
Apistogramma norberti is a dwarf cichlid endemic to the Rio Tahuayo and Rio Tamshiyacu drainages near Iquitos in Peru, where it inhabits minor jungle streams that experience seasonal changes in water volume. Its precise placement is uncertain but it is tentatively placed in the A. cacatuoides group. Seriously Fish describes it as a substrate spawner that deposits eggs in crevices or cavities among the decor, with the female assuming complete responsibility for the brood.
Sexing
Males are larger, more colourful and develop more extended fins than females. Males reach about 6 cm standard length while females reach a maximum of around 4 cm. Females in broodcare display a distinctive colour pattern, typically yellow with dark markings.
Conditioning
As a carnivorous dwarf cichlid, the species is conditioned on small live and frozen foods. Stable, clean water and consistent feeding bring females into spawning condition before pairing.
Breeding Setup
Provide caves or crevices among the decor for spawning sites. Seriously Fish lists breeding parameters of 24-28 degrees C, pH 4.5-6.5 and hardness of 0-54 ppm, reflecting the soft, slightly acidic streams of its range. Because the female can become aggressive during broodcare, in smaller aquaria the male may need to be removed after spawning.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
The female lays her eggs inside a chosen cavity and takes on all post-spawning care. The male defends the wider territory while the female guards the brood, in line with the typical Apistogramma pattern.
Egg & Fry Care
The female tends the eggs and leads the free-swimming fry. Seriously Fish documents a broodcare female with fry, confirming maternal care of offspring; no species-specific egg count is published for this species.
Common Challenges
Female aggression toward the male during broodcare is a common issue in smaller tanks and may require separating the male. Maintaining soft, slightly acidic water supports successful egg development. As described for the genus on Wikipedia, water conditions also influence the sex ratio of the offspring: warmer water results in more males, and in some species more acidic water likewise produces more males, so breeders aiming for balanced broods should keep parameters stable and moderate.