Apistogramma Hongsloi

Click to enlarge

This male Apistogramma hongsloi is from a highly domesticated strain.

Apistogramma hongsloi (A 110 - A 115) are fairly robust dwarf cichlids that comes from the tropical lowlands in the eastern parts of Columbia. The most popular color strains of A. hongsloi are among the most colorful of all freshwater fish. These strains are entirely domestic and are the result of extensive line breeding. It is also possible that specialized foods are utilized to attain the brilliant reds and yellows. It has been reported that the most colorful imports have been raised on a diet of cyclops, a tiny crustacean and rich in color enhancing pigments.

Wild forms of Apistogramma hongsloi are not nearly as colorful

click to enlarge

Another view of the same male Apistogramma hongsloi.

as the domesticated strains. The wild forms are rarely imported and there is some confusion as to the exact nature of the various color

Wild form male Apistogramma Hongsloi

forms that exist. However, it is generally agreed that A. hongsloi is the type for the hongsloi complex of the macmasteri group of Apistogrammas. exist. For a number of years this species was referred toas Apistogramma sp. rostrich. However, in 1979 it was formally described by Dr. Sven Kullander. Today, Apistogramma hongsloi is commonly imported from European breeders by a few specialty importers. They distribute the fish to specialty retailers and this species is often offered for sale. (Please note that this "often" is by Apisto standards and you might have to search hard for a period of time and be willing to pay the price if you want these beauties)

This group of young adult Apistogramma hongsloi are from a wild strain. They do not exhibit many of the colors found in the domestic forms. However, the yellow head and blue sheen can be distinguished.

Apistogramma hongsloi are generally easy to care for and require no extraordinary conditions. Pairs are usually good parents and typical Apistogramma breeding techniques are generally successful.

Apistogramma hongsloi - breeding report

Click to enlarge photo

This male Apistogramma hongsloi is of unknown origin. There are many different variants of this species and there is much still to be learned about the different forms. This strain has coloration and markings that are similar to the forms found in the Rio Capanaparo (A 111) but there are some differences.

In late December 2006 I placed a pair of A. hongsloi of unknown parentage in a homemade breeding tank of about 7 gallons. The tank measures about 23"L x 7"W x 8"H so it is quite long in relation to wide. I placed about 3/4" of fine sand on the bottom and place several broken pots for caves along with several large rocks placed to divide the sight lines in the tank. I added several water sprite plants anchored with small stones and several clumps of java moss. Finally I added a couple of handfuls of Oak leaves.

It didn't take long for the pair to settle in and within a couple of days the female had nearly sealed herself into one of the caves. The male seemed oblivious and enjoyed the tank. After 8 days the female began to bring the fry out of the cave. The first day they were still living on their yolk sacs and did very little swimming and made no attempt to feed. However by the second day mother was sheparding the fry around the tank under the close supervision of the male. He was an active partner in brood care and the female welcomed him into the shoal of fry. After several weeks the female began to make a few courtship displays to the male but never was their any aggression between them.

click to enlarge

At two days, the fry stay in a close batch surrounding the female. At this size they can be seen picking at trocks and plants gathering the microscopic food items that get them off to a great start.

click to enlarge

On the first day they emerged the fry were not truly free swimming. They never moved far from the mouth of the cave and they made no attempts to swim or feed.

Two day old A. hongsloi fry. At this stage they have begun to actively explore their environment and are eagerly taking live baby brine shrimp and micro worms.

click to enlarge

At five days the fry are obviously growing rapidly. These fish were being fed twice a day; alternating baby brine shrimp and micro worms.

At 7 weeks the fry have been separated from the parents and are becoming very independent. They are already skirmishing to establish a pecking order.

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Fish Profiles & Photos South American Apistogramma agassizii atahualpa borellii cacatuoides commbrae geisleri gephyra gibbiceps hongsloi iniridae macmasteri ortmanni panduro paucisquamis pertensis rubrolineata sp. "Putumayo" steindachneri uaupesi xingu Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis Dicrossus filamentosus Laetacara curviceps Microgeophagus altispinosa ramirezi West African Nanochromis parilus transvestitus Pelvicachromis pulcher roloffi subocellatus taeniatus	Apistogramma Hongsloi Click to enlarge This male Apistogramma hongsloi is from a highly domesticated strain. Apistogramma hongsloi (A 110 - A 115) are fairly robust dwarf cichlids that comes from the tropical lowlands in the eastern parts of Columbia. The most popular color strains of A. hongsloi are among the most colorful of all freshwater fish. These strains are entirely domestic and are the result of extensive line breeding. It is also possible that specialized foods are utilized to attain the brilliant reds and yellows. It has been reported that the most colorful imports have been raised on a diet of cyclops, a tiny crustacean and rich in color enhancing pigments. Wild forms of Apistogramma hongsloi are not nearly as colorful click to enlarge Another view of the same male Apistogramma hongsloi. as the domesticated strains. The wild forms are rarely imported and there is some confusion as to the exact nature of the various color Wild form male Apistogramma Hongsloi forms that exist. However, it is generally agreed that A. hongsloi is the type for the hongsloi complex of the macmasteri group of Apistogrammas. exist. For a number of years this species was referred toas Apistogramma sp. rostrich. However, in 1979 it was formally described by Dr. Sven Kullander. Today, Apistogramma hongsloi is commonly imported from European breeders by a few specialty importers. They distribute the fish to specialty retailers and this species is often offered for sale. (Please note that this "often" is by Apisto standards and you might have to search hard for a period of time and be willing to pay the price if you want these beauties) This group of young adult Apistogramma hongsloi are from a wild strain. They do not exhibit many of the colors found in the domestic forms. However, the yellow head and blue sheen can be distinguished. Apistogramma hongsloi are generally easy to care for and require no extraordinary conditions. Pairs are usually good parents and typical Apistogramma breeding techniques are generally successful. Apistogramma hongsloi - breeding report Click to enlarge photo This male Apistogramma hongsloi is of unknown origin. There are many different variants of this species and there is much still to be learned about the different forms. This strain has coloration and markings that are similar to the forms found in the Rio Capanaparo (A 111) but there are some differences. In late December 2006 I placed a pair of A. hongsloi of unknown parentage in a homemade breeding tank of about 7 gallons. The tank measures about 23"L x 7"W x 8"H so it is quite long in relation to wide. I placed about 3/4" of fine sand on the bottom and place several broken pots for caves along with several large rocks placed to divide the sight lines in the tank. I added several water sprite plants anchored with small stones and several clumps of java moss. Finally I added a couple of handfuls of Oak leaves. It didn't take long for the pair to settle in and within a couple of days the female had nearly sealed herself into one of the caves. The male seemed oblivious and enjoyed the tank. After 8 days the female began to bring the fry out of the cave. The first day they were still living on their yolk sacs and did very little swimming and made no attempt to feed. However by the second day mother was sheparding the fry around the tank under the close supervision of the male. He was an active partner in brood care and the female welcomed him into the shoal of fry. After several weeks the female began to make a few courtship displays to the male but never was their any aggression between them. click to enlarge At two days, the fry stay in a close batch surrounding the female. At this size they can be seen picking at trocks and plants gathering the microscopic food items that get them off to a great start. click to enlarge On the first day they emerged the fry were not truly free swimming. They never moved far from the mouth of the cave and they made no attempts to swim or feed. Two day old A. hongsloi fry. At this stage they have begun to actively explore their environment and are eagerly taking live baby brine shrimp and micro worms. click to enlarge At five days the fry are obviously growing rapidly. These fish were being fed twice a day; alternating baby brine shrimp and micro worms. At 7 weeks the fry have been separated from the parents and are becoming very independent. They are already skirmishing to establish a pecking order. Copyright This website and all contents and design, including images, are protected under U.S. Copyright © 2006 by Montana Exotic Tropicals. All rights reserved worldwide. Dwarfcichlid.com is for your personal and noncommercial use. No one may modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, or publish any materials contained in dwarf cichlid.com without prior written permission. dwarf cichlid.com is a registered service mark and may not be used without permission.

Practical Information About Keeping, Breeding and Buying Dwarf Cichlids

Apistogramma Hongsloi

Apistogramma hongsloi - breeding report