Overview:
Apistogramma Agassizii are a peaceful dwarf cichlid hailing from South America. They are also known as Agassizii's dwarf cichlid.
Their natural habitat is all through out the ENTIRE amazon basin thus giving them the largest geographic distribution of any Apistogramma species. Because of their diversity there are many different color forms (also know as strains) found in nature.
They were discovered by Professor J. L. R. Agassiz in the mid 1860s but were not kept as pets until the early 1900s. This is one of the few, if not the only, species of Apistogramma that has consistently been correctly identified by hobbyists.
These fish belong to the family Cichlidae (also know as cichlids), know for their aggressive nature, but the little guys are peaceful enough to make the perfect fish for the community tank. The Apistogrramma Agassizii "tefe" is still debated over on whether or not it is a separate species.
There are many strains of A. Agassizii out there, each has been bred generation after generation to get the desired effect. Some of the strains are but not limited to: Red Tail, Double Red, Red-Black, Double Full Red, Super Red, Blue-Red, Red-Gold, Blue, Steel Blue, Triple Red, Fame Red and Golden. While most aquarium strains are breed for beauty, pizzazz and zing the wild forms of this species have their own natural beauty.
They are an omnivore and will accept flake, pellet, live, vegetable (prepared food) and some raw meat (only as a treat) as food. The males of this species can get up to 4 in on occasion but are usually around the 3.5in mark. On the contrary, their female counterparts only get to about 3-2.5 inches. The males of this species have MUCH more colorful than the females as well a having the first 2-5 rays of their dorsal fin extended.
pH: 5.5.-8 but do best in the 6.3-7.3
Temp: 73-82
Hardness (GH): 1-15
Compatibility: Most peaceful community fish. They may eat small fish and inverts. That said don't house them with anything super aggressive. When they are spawning, guarding eggs or fry they will become really aggressive.
Sexing: the male is larger, more colorful and has a longer dorsal fin. The female is a dull brown to yellow color but will turn a bright lemon yellow when in breeding dress.
Min Tank size: 10 Gallon for a pair. If you are going to have other fish a 20 gallon is required.
Lifespan: 4-6 years on average but some have lived as long a 12 years
Breeding:
The fish breed relatively easily but it help tremendously if you condition them with live or frozen foods. Like most Apistogrammas, they are a cave spawning cichlid though occasionally they will spawn on top of leaves, driftwood and rocks. Most breeders provide a small cichlid cave for spawning but thngs like small flower pots and cups can be used. The entrance of the cave is should only be big enough for one-2 fish to pass in and out. However the unfertilized number of eggs drastically drops if the male is able to enter the cave. After the spawning period the male will leave the cave and the female will stay in the cave guarding the fry. After about a week the female will emerge with her free swimming fry. The female will usually chase away the male but sometimes, if the bond between the pair is strong enough, she will allow the male to help with parental duties. The fry can be feed micro worms, baby brine shrimp, finely ground flakes, egg yolk and fry food.
pictures will come
Credits:
Apistogramma agassizii
Agassizi Cichlid
Apistogramma Agassizii are a peaceful dwarf cichlid hailing from South America. They are also known as Agassizii's dwarf cichlid.
Their natural habitat is all through out the ENTIRE amazon basin thus giving them the largest geographic distribution of any Apistogramma species. Because of their diversity there are many different color forms (also know as strains) found in nature.
They were discovered by Professor J. L. R. Agassiz in the mid 1860s but were not kept as pets until the early 1900s. This is one of the few, if not the only, species of Apistogramma that has consistently been correctly identified by hobbyists.
These fish belong to the family Cichlidae (also know as cichlids), know for their aggressive nature, but the little guys are peaceful enough to make the perfect fish for the community tank. The Apistogrramma Agassizii "tefe" is still debated over on whether or not it is a separate species.
There are many strains of A. Agassizii out there, each has been bred generation after generation to get the desired effect. Some of the strains are but not limited to: Red Tail, Double Red, Red-Black, Double Full Red, Super Red, Blue-Red, Red-Gold, Blue, Steel Blue, Triple Red, Fame Red and Golden. While most aquarium strains are breed for beauty, pizzazz and zing the wild forms of this species have their own natural beauty.
They are an omnivore and will accept flake, pellet, live, vegetable (prepared food) and some raw meat (only as a treat) as food. The males of this species can get up to 4 in on occasion but are usually around the 3.5in mark. On the contrary, their female counterparts only get to about 3-2.5 inches. The males of this species have MUCH more colorful than the females as well a having the first 2-5 rays of their dorsal fin extended.
pH: 5.5.-8 but do best in the 6.3-7.3
Temp: 73-82
Hardness (GH): 1-15
Compatibility: Most peaceful community fish. They may eat small fish and inverts. That said don't house them with anything super aggressive. When they are spawning, guarding eggs or fry they will become really aggressive.
Sexing: the male is larger, more colorful and has a longer dorsal fin. The female is a dull brown to yellow color but will turn a bright lemon yellow when in breeding dress.
Min Tank size: 10 Gallon for a pair. If you are going to have other fish a 20 gallon is required.
Lifespan: 4-6 years on average but some have lived as long a 12 years
Breeding:
The fish breed relatively easily but it help tremendously if you condition them with live or frozen foods. Like most Apistogrammas, they are a cave spawning cichlid though occasionally they will spawn on top of leaves, driftwood and rocks. Most breeders provide a small cichlid cave for spawning but thngs like small flower pots and cups can be used. The entrance of the cave is should only be big enough for one-2 fish to pass in and out. However the unfertilized number of eggs drastically drops if the male is able to enter the cave. After the spawning period the male will leave the cave and the female will stay in the cave guarding the fry. After about a week the female will emerge with her free swimming fry. The female will usually chase away the male but sometimes, if the bond between the pair is strong enough, she will allow the male to help with parental duties. The fry can be feed micro worms, baby brine shrimp, finely ground flakes, egg yolk and fry food.
pictures will come
Credits:
Apistogramma agassizii
Agassizi Cichlid
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