Edit Apistogramma gibbiceps
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Name
Scientific name
Apistogramma gibbiceps
Described by
Authority Meinken, Year 1969
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Blackline Apisto, Blackstriped Dwarf Cichlid
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
The blackline apisto, Apistogramma gibbiceps, is a dwarf cichlid from the Rio Branco and middle Rio Negro basins in Brazil. It is identifie…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
45mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 45 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 27–29°C, pH 5–6.5
Hardness
up to 3dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Territorial
Social needs
A pair
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Brazil, Amazon, Branco, Negro
Writing
Etymology
Apistogramma: from the Greek apistos, meaning 'inconstant', and gramme, meaning 'line', presumably referring to the variably developed lateral line in member s…
Distribution
Known from the Rio Branco and middle Rio Negro basins in the Brazilian states of Roraima and Amazonas. Type locality is 'Brasilien, wahrscheinlich Gebiet des R…
Habitat
Few habitat details have been published. The fish described as A. roraimae were collected in late November from small forest streams (igarapés) and a small tem…
Aquarium size
A pair needs a tank with base dimensions of at least 45 ∗ 30 cm. A male kept with several females needs more floor space, with a cave for each female.
Maintenance
Give it a soft, sandy substrate, wood roots and plenty of caves, including some too small for the male to enter so a female has somewhere to retreat when he is…
Water conditions
Temperature: 27 – 29 °C pH: 5.0 – 6.5 Hardness: up to 3 dGH[3]
Diet
Like other Apistogramma, it feeds mainly on small invertebrates in the wild. Offer small live and frozen foods such as Artemia, Daphnia and bloodworm, alongsid…
Behaviour and compatibility
Peaceful towards other fish but territorial when breeding, and a male can harass a female that is not ready to spawn. It can be kept with small, peaceful fish …
Sexual dimorphism
Males grow larger, are more colourful and have longer dorsal and anal fins. The male caudal fin has a streamer near the middle of each lobe. Females are smalle…
Reproduction
A cave spawner. The eggs are laid on the roof of a cave, and the female guards them and the fry, driving off other fish including the male. FishBase gives abou…
Notes
This species is A209 in the DATZ A-number list used in the aquarium trade. Hermann Meinken described A. gibbiceps in 1969 from aquarium specimens, and his type…
References
References
6 on this profile