Although only described in 2006 this species has been known in the hobby since at least 1988 when it was imported to Germany and traded as G. sp. 'Parnaíba'. An undescribed species from the rio Pindaré in Maranhão state usually sold as G. sp. 'Pindaré' is sometimes labelled G. sp. 'Pindaré' (Parnaíba) which has resulted in some confusion but the two do not occur sympatrically and are totally distinct from one another.

Numerous ornamental forms of this species have been selectively-bred for the aquarium trade, some of which include. It has also been assigned the 'A' number A234 under the DATZ system with possibly conspecific, related forms similarly numbered A235, A236, A237, A238, A239, A240, A241 and A242 depending on locality.

The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition …