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Practical Information About Keeping, Breeding and Buying Dwarf Cichlids

Apistogramma sp. "Putumayo"

     Apistogramma Putumayo  (A85 - 86)  was first introduced into Germany in 1997 as a  form of Apistogramma cruzi (A83). In 1998 they were introduced into the United States as Apistogramma sp. "Algodon 2". A lot of fish were distributed under this name and it is not uncommon to find them listed as Algodon 2 today.

     Apistogramma Putumayo is one of a group of very similar species in the cruzi  complex. The cruzi complex itself is very closely related to the eunotus complex and some believe that the cruzi group of species should best be considered a sub complex of the eunotus complex. As I have already noted there is a lot of confusion surrounding the exact relationships between a number of similar species and it is possible that the forms of Apistogramma sp. "Putumayo" are actually just variants of Apistogramma cruzi. However, there are enough differences between the forms that we can consider them to be separate species until we get additional data.

     Apistogramma sp. "Putumayo" can be quite variable in their coloration. Most forms are rather subdued but some exhibit great colors. Parallel lines of red spots are found along the sides of some individuals and iridescent blues and greens are often found on their dorsal and anal fins. their caudal fins are usually clear to reddish but in a few individuals there is quite a bit of red. Their dorsal fin is low and even and their tail is typically round.

     Apistogramma sp. "Putumayo" are found throughout the Rio Putumayo drainage as well as in Rio Shishita in the Rio Ampiyacu drainage. These waters are northern tributaries to the middle and upper Amazon. in Peru. They reportedly inhabit shallow warm waters where  they are collected together with Apistogramma bitaeniata and Apistogramma agassizii. In the aquarium their care is little different than other Apistogrammas. In my experience they can be rather aggressive (or even extremely) so be sure to have a very complex environment. Apistogramma sp. "Putumayo" seem to spend more time in open water than some other Apistogramma species so if you can aquascape for this it might be a good choice.

     Although I have never bred this species all reports I have heard are that they are typical apistos. However, there are consistent reports of skewed sex ratios ( I have grown up groups of juveniles that have turned out to be single sex so, in my limited experience, this is likely). Sex in Apistogrammas seems to be determined by temperature and pH so if you get a breeding pair pay close attention to your water. If you find that you are getting spawns of all one sex try modifying the temperature. 

     Apistogramma sp. "Putumayo" is an interesting and relatively rare dwarf cichlid. However, they are fairly robust and I don't consider them to be a difficult species. Although they vary in their coloration they are an attractive and interesting species. Watch for them sold under the name of Apistogramma sp. "Algodon 2" as you might find them listed that way by some dealers.