Feed varied foods. Use live food to condition and get into the best possible shape. This is a tremendously colourful species if in top condition.
Breeding:
This is a difficult species to sex but once you have a pair breeding is fairly straightforward, often accomplished in community tanks. The pair are open spawners on a stone or leaf and both will defend the young. This is not a particularly aggresive species so if you are hoping to raise fry keep with pencilfish or smaller rasboras to prevent excessive predation.
Difficulty:
Beginner
General Info:
An excellent species for the beginner, easily found in many fish outlets.
Keep nitrate levels low as they may struggle with elevated levels for long.
As with most Apistogramma they are Omnivores, and will readily accept flake and granular feeds. Their diet should be supplemented with live\frozen foods for optimum conditions (Brineshrimp, whiteworms etc)
Breeding:
They are polygamous with the male mating with many females over a broad territory. Broodcare is primarily undertaken by the female, as is the norm eggs are laid in a cave\small area that should be just big enough for the female to enter.
Difficulty:
Beginner
General Info:
These are a hardy Apisto that can deal with a broad spectrum of pH, hardness and temperature values. Extremes of any should be avoided and the info provided here is for optimal maintanance. There are many different colur morphs of this species that are aquarium line bred.
Widespread, most notably Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Con
Habitat:
Leaf litter and woodstrewn streams and rivers
Max size male:
4"
Max size female:
3"
ph range:
6-7.2 Ideal,
Temp range:
23-27*C
Diet:
Pelvicachromis are primarily algae\detritus grazers, diet should include many greens.
Breeding:
P. Pulcher is a cave spawner, that forms monogamous pairs. While eggs are protected by the female, free swimming fry are cared for by both parents. The female develops the bright charicteristic red or purple belly when in breeding condition. This fish is an excellent choice for anyone trying to spawn their fish for the first time.
Difficulty:
Beginner
General Info:
P Pulcher is an excellent choice for a starter cichlid, but care should be taken if housing a pair as they will get aggresive if courting\spawning.
Omnivores, feed a varied diet easy to acclimatise to flake\granular foods
Breeding:
This is an easy species to breed, open spawners, eggs are laid on flat surfaces such as plant leaves, rocks, tank decor etc. New fry will accept most small grain foods recommended for egg layers if BBS are not available. This species is a great parent, responsibility is shared between both fish.
Difficulty:
Beginner
General Info:
This species is a great beginner cichlid that fits well into many community set-ups. Everyone should try this cichlid at least once.
