Uaupes Apisto (Apistogramma uaupesi) Care Guide
Apistogramma uaupesi 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 uaupesi is a dwarf cichlid of the family Cichlidae, described by Kullander, 1980. It is native to the Uaupes River and adjacent parts of the Negro River basin within the Amazon system in Brazil. According to FishBase, it reaches about 2.8 cm in standard length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Scientific name: Apistogramma uaupesi
- Describing authority: Kullander, 1980
Habitat
The Uaupes River and adjacent parts of the Negro River basin within the Amazon system in Brazil 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: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2020.
Apistogramma uaupesi Breeding Guide
Overview
Apistogramma uaupesi is a dwarf cichlid from the Uaupes River and nearby Negro River basin in Brazil. FishBase records males to 2.8 cm SL and a very acidic natural pH of 4.0-5.0. 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 dimorphism for A. uaupesi 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. As a Rio Negro fish it occupies very soft, acidic, warm blackwater, and conditioning should reproduce those conditions.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: 23-29 °C (FishBase)
- pH: 4.0-5.0 (FishBase) — very acidic blackwater
- Water: very soft, tannin-stained Rio Negro-type water
- Spawning sites: enclosed caves; eggs attached to the cave ceiling
- Layout: sand substrate with 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. For the genus, nearly all Apistogramma spawn in crevices or small caves and most use a polygamous harem strategy in which the male defends a territory containing several females. Very soft, acidic, warm water reproducing the natural blackwater habitat is important to trigger and sustain spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
The female tends the clutch in the cave 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 documented for the genus, with species-specific data for A. uaupesi limited.
Common Challenges
Achieving and stably holding very low pH and very soft water is the principal challenge, and eggs may fail to develop in harder, less acidic water. IUCN lists the species as Least Concern (assessed 2020).