Apistogramma paucisquamis
Apistogramma paucisquamis was first described by Kullander & Staeck in 1988. They belong to the family Cichlidae, the cichlids.
The genus name Apistogramma comes from Greek: “apisto” means uncertain and “gramma” means sign or graphic symbol . The exact meaning in this context is not entirely clear, but it may refer to the confusion surrounding the classification of these fish or to a distinctive pattern on their bodies. The species name paucisquamis is Latin and means “with few scales,” referring to the reduced number of scales around the tail root, a distinctive feature of this species.
Description
Apistogramma paucisquamis has an elongated, laterally flattened body. The head is generally grayish, with a dark postorbital stripe (behind the eye) and sometimes a light preorbital stripe (in front of the eye). The flanks show a basic grayish color with two parallel, dark horizontal bands; an upper one, which extends to the tail root, and a lower one, which runs from the pectoral fins to the tail root. Between these bands is a lighter area. A round, black spot is often present in the upper band. The scales around the tail root are reduced in number (12 instead of the usual 16 in other Apistogramma species). The caudal fin is forked and often has vertical stripes or spots. The color of the fins varies; they can be grayish, orange, reddish or bluish, depending on the individual and mood. Maximum size is about 3-4 cm standard length (SL); males grow slightly larger than females. Males reach a maximum total length of 5 centimeters and females remain slightly smaller at 4 centimeters.
Gender and Age Differences:
Males are generally larger and more colorful than females. Color variation in males is considerable, ranging from orange to gray-brown, with various shades of blue and red in the fins. Females tend to be less prominently colored. Juveniles resemble the adult females, but are smaller and less brightly colored. Behavioral differences between the sexes are especially apparent during reproduction, with males exhibiting territorial behavior and females tending the eggs.
Behavior and Temperament:
Apistogramma paucisquamis is generally a peaceful fish, but can be territorial, especially during reproduction. They usually live as a pair, but can also occur in small groups. They are bottom dwellers and prefer hiding places among plants, rocks and wood. They are relatively shy and may hide in the presence of larger fish. They are not aggressive toward non-territorial fish, but can be aggressive toward conspecifics and other territorial fish, especially if space is limited.
Life expectancy:
The life expectancy of Apistogramma paucisquamis in the wild is unknown. In an aquarium, they can live 2 to 3 years.
Biotope
Apistogramma paucisquamis is native to Brazil. They live in the Amazon basin, specifically in the middle and lower parts of the Rio Negro.
They are river fish that live in the Rio Negro, in shallow bays and creeks along its banks. Their natural habitat consists of blackwater biotopes with clear, tea-colored water. The bottom is covered with a thick layer of dead leaves, which provide shelter. The banks are covered with trees and there is little to no underwater vegetation.
Diet of Apistogramma paucisquamis
Information on the diet of Apistogramma paucisquamis in the wild is limited. Examination of the gut contents of some specimens revealed that they have an omnivorous diet but the tend to favor meaty foods. This suggests that they feed on a mix of small invertebrates and possibly some plant material.
In an aquarium, Apistogramma paucisquamis can be fed a varied diet, including dry food (flakes, pellets), live food (e.g., artemia, daphnia), and frozen food (e.g., mosquito larvae). It is important to vary the food to ensure that the fish get all the nutrients they need. Overfeeding should be avoided to prevent water pollution. Small portions several times a day are better than one large meal.
The Aquarium
This species is best kept in a harem. Here you keep one male together with three females. The females each have their own territory within the territory of the male. For a harem Apistogramma paucisquamis an aquarium of at least 100 centimeters in length is recommended. Multiple harems require a significantly larger aquarium, with the exact size depending on the number of harems and the space available for each harem. A larger aquarium ensures less stress and aggression between the fish.
The setup should provide plenty of hiding places, such as rocks, roots, and dense plantings. A sandy bottom is most suitable , but a fine gravel can also be used. The presence of leaves on the bottom is recommended, as this mimics the natural habitat . The water values should be soft and acidic, with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5 and low hardness (GH 1-5). The temperature should be between 22°C and 28°C. Regular water changes (20-30% per month) are essential to maintain water quality.
Suitable co-inhabitants are small, peaceful fish that do not pose a threat to the Apistogramma paucisquamis. Corydoras species (and those similar to them) are often not a happy combination because they do not care about the Apistogramma’s territory. It is important to avoid larger, aggressive fish or other territorial cichlids. Large crustaceans should also be avoided, as they may see the Apistogramma paucisquamis as prey.
Breeding of Apistogramma paucisquamis
Breeding Apistogramma paucisquamis is challenging, even for the advanced aquarist. It is a burrow breeder, which means they deposit their eggs in a burrow or sheltered area. Suitable burrows can be created in an aquarium using inverted flower pots, coconut shells with openings, or special breeding caves. The water in the breeding aquarium should be soft and acidic, with a pH and total hardness (GH) below 6. The ideal temperature is between 24°C and 29°C.
The male will court the female and together they will clean a suitable place for egg deposition. The female usually lays her eggs on the ceiling of the burrow, but sometimes on the underside of leaves on the bottom. After egg deposition, the female assumes brood care while the male defends the territory. In larger aquariums, the male may take care of the young and chase the female away.
The larvae hatch after about 2-3 days, depending on the water temperature. After about 5-6 days, the yolk sacs are used up and the young begin to swim freely. The young can be fed with artemia nauplii and cogfish. As they grow, they can be fed cyclops and water fleas.
Peculiarities about Apistogramma paucisquamis
Some interesting details about Apistogramma paucisquamis not covered in previous chapters:
- Scale characteristics: A notable feature is the reduced number of scales around the tail root: 12 instead of the usual 16 in other Apistogramma species. This reduction in scales is an important distinguishing feature for identification of this species.
- Mouth size and behavior: The relatively large mouth of Apistogramma paucisquamis may indicate a diet that includes plankton, or possibly a specific form of threatening behavior in which the mouth is held wide open during frontal confrontations. This behavior differs from most other Apistogramma species, which keep their mouths closed during such behavior.
- Color variation: Considerable color variation has been observed in males, ranging from orange to gray-brown, with different shades of blue and red in the fins. Schmettkamp (1981) even distinguished two forms: a “white” and an “orange” form, based on the color of the pectoral, ventral and caudal fins. This variation may be due to individual expression of red pigments.
- Relationship: Although the exact relationship is not completely clear, it is suggested that Apistogramma paucisquamis may be closely related to species from the A. agassizii and A. cacatuoides groups, based on the behavior of the open mouth during threatening behavior.
- Synonyms: There is some mention of the popular name “Glanzbinden-Apistogramma,” used in the aquarium trade as early as the 1960s . This name was later also used by Schmettkamp (1981, 1982), Linke and Staeck (1984) and Koslowski (1982, 1985).
- Habitat and sympatry: Apistogramma paucisquamis lives near the banks of the Rio Negro in Brazil, in shallow, shaded streams with a sandy bottom covered with leaf litter. Interestingly, this species may be sympatric (lives in the same area) with Apistogramma mendezi, leading to a striking color difference in males to recognize females of their own species.
- Aquarium: Apistogramma paucisquamis is a challenging species is for aquarium keepers, requiring specific water parameters (soft, acidic water) and careful setup. It is important to avoid being bullied by larger, more aggressive fish. Regular water changes are essential.
Conclusion
Apistogramma paucisquamis is a fascinating but challenging species of fish for aquarium keepers. Their specific needs for soft, acidic water and a carefully designed environment make them less suitable for beginners. The combination of their shy nature, territorial behavior during spawning and the need for a varied diet requires knowledge and attention. The reduction in scales around the tail root and open-mouth threatening behavior are unusual features.
Despite the difficulties, keeping Apistogramma paucisquamis can be very satisfying. A well-designed aquarium with adequate hiding places, regular water changes and a varied diet are essential for their well-being. Observation of their complex social behavior and successful breeding of this species provides great satisfaction for experienced aquarists. However, more research into their natural behavior and breeding methods is desirable.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
F. Ingemann Hansen – Akvariefotografen.com
References
- Tougard, C., García Dávila, C. R., Römer, U., Duponchelle, F., Cerqueira, F., Paradis, E., … & Renno, J.-F. (2017). Tempo and rates of diversification in the South American cichlid genus Apistogramma (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182618
- Kullander, S. O., & Staeck, W. (1988). Description of a new Apistogramma species (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from the Rio Negro in Brazil.
- Römer, U. (1994). Apistogramma mendezi nov. sp. (Teleostei: Perciformes; Cichlidae): Description of a New Dwarf Cichlid from the Rio Negro System, Amazonas State, Brazil.
