Paucisquamis Apisto (Apistogramma paucisquamis) Care Guide
Apistogramma paucisquamis 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 paucisquamis is a dwarf cichlid of the family Cichlidae, described by Kullander & Staeck, 1988. It is native to the middle and lower Negro River from the Daraa River to the Anavilhanas Archipelago in Brazil; it prefers extremely shallow habitats only 10-40 cm deep. According to FishBase, it reaches about 3.4 cm in standard length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Scientific name: Apistogramma paucisquamis
- Describing authority: Kullander & Staeck, 1988
Habitat
The middle and lower Negro River from the Daraa River to the Anavilhanas Archipelago in Brazil; it prefers extremely shallow habitats only 10-40 cm deep 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: 26-30 °C (79-86 °F)
- pH: 4-6
- GH: 1-3 °dGH
- Adult size: 5-8 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: Data Deficient (DD), assessed 2018.
Apistogramma paucisquamis Breeding Guide
Overview
Apistogramma paucisquamis is a dwarf cichlid from the middle and lower Negro River, from the Daraa River to the Anavilhanas Archipelago, Brazil. FishBase records males to 3.4 cm SL and notes it prefers extremely shallow habitats (10-40 cm deep) with leaf cover and forest litter. It is a cave spawner with female brood care; where species data is limited, the guide draws on the documented breeding pattern of the genus Apistogramma.
Sexing
Specific sexual dimorphism for A. paucisquamis is not detailed in available scientific sources. For the genus, males are generally larger with more extended, pointed unpaired fins and stronger colour, while females are smaller and rounder; this is documented for the genus rather than confirmed for this species.
Conditioning
The species is a small carnivore best conditioned on small live and frozen invertebrate foods, ideally in a soft, warm, leaf-littered blackwater setup that mirrors its shallow shaded habitat.
Breeding Setup
- Water: very soft, acidic Rio Negro blackwater (warm tropical)
- Depth/cover: shallow, heavily shaded with leaf litter and forest litter (FishBase notes 10-40 cm depth in nature)
- Spawning sites: enclosed caves; eggs attached to the cave ceiling
- Layout: sand substrate, leaf litter, and small caves (genus pattern)
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase states that eggs are attached to the ceiling of caves and that the female cares for eggs and larvae, with the species using forest litter for egg deposition. For the genus, nearly all Apistogramma spawn in crevices, small caves or leaf-litter aggregations and most use a polygamous harem strategy. Soft, warm, acidic, leaf-littered water encourages spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
The female tends the clutch and guards larvae and free-swimming fry, while the male defends the territory, as documented for the genus. For Apistogramma generally, warmer and more acidic water tends to skew the sex ratio toward males; this is a genus-level observation with species-specific data for A. paucisquamis limited.
Common Challenges
Reproducing the extremely soft, shaded, leaf-littered blackwater this species favours is the main challenge; instability or hard water undermines spawning. IUCN lists the species as Data Deficient (assessed 2018).