Apistogramma

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Apistogramma
Apistogramma nijsseni
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Apistogramma
Regan, 1913

Apistogramma is a genus of more than a hundred species of fish from the family Cichlidae found in tropical areas of the Amazon basin and Venezuela. Apistogramma literally means "irregular lateral line" referring to a common trait of the species under this taxon. Most species are strongly sexually dimorphic, with males significantly larger (up to 7 to 9 cm) and more colourful than females.

Contents

[edit] Breeding

Brood care is highly developed, as in most Cichlidae. All Apistogramma species spawn in caves, typically under rocks or in holes in sunken logs or branches. A number of breeding strategies exist. Some species breed in polygynous harems, while other species form monogamous pairs. In most cases, reagardless of the breeding strategy, the female is more highly involved with brood care, whilst the male defends a territory from predators. The sex of the fry is affected by the water conditions, with warmer and softer water favoring more males.

[edit] Diet

All Apistogramma species are micropredators. Their main prey items consist of insect larvae, fry of other fishes and other invertebrates.

[edit] Aquarium care

Apistogramma are popular aquarium residents, particularly in community or planted aquariums. These fish are quite peaceful, and won't attack fish from any other genus unless they enter their territory. In the Amazon, Apistogramma inhabit soft acidic water and require similar conditions in the aquarium. Many Apistogramma species are very sensitive to changes in water chemistry. Apistogramma are best kept in species tanks with plenty of cover (in the form of plants and driftwood). Although popular, Apistogramma species are not recommended for inexperience cichlid hobbyists.

[edit] Species

  • Apistogramma acrensis Staeck, 2003
  • Apistogramma agassizii (Steindachner, 1875)
  • Apistogramma alacrina Kullander, 2004
  • Apistogramma amoena Cope, 1872
  • Apistogramma arua Romer & Warzel, 1998
  • Apistogramma atahualpa Romer, 1997
  • Apistogramma baenschi Romer et al., 2004
  • Apistogramma bitaeniata Pellegrin, 1936
  • Apistogramma borellii Regan, 1906
  • Apistogramma brevis Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma cacatuoides Hoedeman, 1951
  • Apistogramma caetei Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma commbrae Regan, 1906
  • Apistogramma cruzi Kullander, 1986
  • Apistogramma diplotaenia Kullander, 1987
  • Apistogramma elizabethae Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma eremnopyge Ready & Kullander, 2004
  • Apistogramma eunotus Kullander, 1981
  • Apistogramma geisleri Meinken, 1971
  • Apistogramma gephyra Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma gibbiceps Meinken, 1969
  • Apistogramma gossei Kullander, 1982
  • Apistogramma guttata Antonio C et al., 1989
  • Apistogramma hippolytae Kullander, 1982
  • Apistogramma hoignei Meinken, 1965
  • Apistogramma hongsloi Kullander, 1979
  • Apistogramma inconspicua Kullander, 1983
  • Apistogramma iniridae Kullander, 1979
  • Apistogramma inornata Staeck, 2003
  • Apistogramma juruensis Kullander, 1986
  • Apistogramma linkei Koslowski, 1985
  • Apistogramma luelingi Kullander, 1976
  • Apistogramma maciliense Hasemen, 1911
  • Apistogramma macmasteri Kullander, 1979
  • Apistogramma martini Romer et al., 2003
  • Apistogramma meinkeni Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma mendezi Romer, 1994
  • Apistogramma moae Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma nijsseni Kullander, 1979
  • Apistogramma norberti Staeck, 1991
  • Apistogramma ortmanni Eigenmann, 1912
  • Apistogramma panduro Romer, 1997
  • Apistogramma paucisquamis Kullander, 1988
  • Apistogramma payaminonis Kullander, 1986
  • Apistogramma personata Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma pertensis Haseman, 1911
  • Apistogramma piauiensis Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma pleurotaenia Regan, 1909
  • Apistogramma pulchra Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma regani Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma resticulosa Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma rubrolineata Hein, Zarske & Zapata, 2002
  • Apistogramma rupununi Fowler, 1914
  • Apistogramma similis Staeck, 2003
  • Apistogramma staecki Koslowski, 1985
  • Apistogramma steindachneri Regan, 1908
  • Apistogramma taeniata Gunther, 1862
  • Apistogramma trifasciata Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903
  • Apistogramma tucurui Staeck, 2003
  • Apistogramma uaupesi Kullander, 1980
  • Apistogramma urteagai Kullander, 1986
  • Apistogramma velifera Staeck, 2003
  • Apistogramma viejita Kullander, 1979

Source: FishBase.

[edit] References