Resticulosa Apisto (Apistogramma resticulosa) Care Guide
Apistogramma resticulosa 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 resticulosa is a dwarf cichlid of the family Cichlidae, described by Kullander, 1980. It is native to the Madeira River drainage of the Amazon River basin near Humaita in Brazil. According to FishBase, it reaches about 3.9 cm in standard length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Scientific name: Apistogramma resticulosa
- Describing authority: Kullander, 1980
Habitat
The Madeira River drainage of the Amazon River basin near Humaita in Brazil forms the natural range of this species. Like most members of the genus, it favours sheltered margins of streams and creeks with leaf litter and gentle flow. 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: 5-8 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: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2020.
Apistogramma resticulosa Breeding Guide
Overview
Apistogramma resticulosa is a dwarf cichlid from the Amazon basin, in the Madeira River drainage near Humaita, Brazil. FishBase records a maximum length of 3.9 cm SL. It is a cave spawner with female-led brood care. Where species data is thin, the guide draws on the documented breeding pattern of the genus Apistogramma.
Sexing
FishBase notes a usable difference for this species: males have pointed fins while the females' fins are rounded. Across the genus, males also tend to be larger and more strongly coloured.
Conditioning
The species is a carnivorous micropredator with a FishBase trophic level near 3.3. Conditioning on small live and frozen invertebrate foods supports spawning condition in a stable, soft, warm tank.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: warm tropical conditions (FishBase notes a tropical range from about 26 °C)
- Water: soft and acidic, matching the Madeira blackwater drainage
- Spawning sites: enclosed caves; eggs are attached to the cave ceiling
- Layout: sand substrate with caves formed by stones or wood (genus pattern)
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase states that eggs are attached to the ceiling of caves and the female cares for eggs and larvae. For the genus, Wikipedia notes that nearly all Apistogramma spawn in crevices or small caves and that most species use a polygamous harem strategy, with the male holding a territory containing several females. Soft, warm, acidic water reproducing the natural habitat helps trigger spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
The female tends the clutch inside the cave and continues to guard the free-swimming fry, while the male defends the broader territory, as documented for the genus. For Apistogramma generally, warmer water yields more males and, in some species, more acidic water also skews the sex ratio toward males; this is a genus-level observation with species-specific data for A. resticulosa limited.
Common Challenges
Maintaining the soft, acidic water this species favours is the main husbandry challenge; instability degrades spawning and fry survival. IUCN lists the species as Least Concern (assessed 2020).