Brazil

photo of Apistogramma agassizii Rio Mariera pair with fry

Apistogramma agassizii

Apistogramma agassizii (A 234 – A 243) is one of the best-known and most widely kept of all Apistogrammas. There are many different color forms/varieties in the wild and several colorful domestic strains are available. They are easy to care for and are usually great for a single-species or community aquarium.

Colorful male Apistogramma hongsloi that is not highly domesticated

Apistogramma hongsloi

Apistogramma hongsloi (A110 – A115) are fairly robust dwarf cichlids from the tropical lowlands in the eastern parts of Columbia. They are closely related to Apistogramma macmasteri and make good aquarium inhabitants. Several color varieties have been developed by commercial breeders in Europe and some of these strains are regularly available.

photo of male Apistogramma uaupesi

Apistogramma uaupesi

Apistogramma uaupesi (A 156) is a very attractive and rather demanding dwarf cichlid. They are found in very soft acid waters in the Rio Negro system and often require these conditions in the aquarium. A. uaupesi can be delicate and are recommended for experienced Apisto keepers.

Photo of male Apistogramma borellii in a planted aquarium

Apistogramma borellii

 Apistogramma borellii (A102/103/104) are beautiful South American dwarf cichlids from waters south of the Amazon basin. They have been in the hobby for nearly a hundred years and are great aquarium fish. They are relatively peaceful, stay small at about 2 inches, and are not too demanding of water conditions.

photo of Apistogramma sp. "Abacaxis" pair

Apistogramma sp. “Abacaxis” 

Apistogramma sp. “Abacaxis” (A227 – A228), also known as Apistogramma sp. “wilhelmi”, is a beautiful and interesting species that is closely related to Apistogramma agassizii. They have a unique facial mask that is usually a shade of purple and are strikingly colored fish. They do best in soft and acidic water and these conditions are …

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Photo of male Apistogramma gibbiceps showing abdominal bars and colors in caudal fin

Apistogramma gibbiceps

Apistogramma gibbiceps (A209) is a slender-bodied species from the Rio Negro in Brazil. They are not common in the American hobby, but they do appear from time to time. Males are larger and more colorful than females with large males reaching less than 3″ and females remaining smaller. They come from soft acid waters and …

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Apistogramma sp. "Xingu" male

Apistogramma sp. “Xingu”

Apistogramma sp. “Xingu” (A37) is a seldom-seen species from the Rio Xingu in eastern Brazil. They are very rare in the hobby which is unfortunate as they are an attractive species and generally make good aquarium fish.

Apistogramma commbrae male

Apistogramma commbrae

Apistogramma commbrae (A93, A94) is a dwarf cichlid species from central to southern South America. They’ve been known to hobbyists for more than a hundred years but are rarely imported today. Apistogramma commbrae are rather drab compared to many other Apistos making them less attractive commercially. However, they are easy to care for, easy to …

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Apistogramma sp. “Putumayo”

Apistogramma sp. “Putumayo” is an interesting species found in the Rio Putumayo in Brazil and Columbia. They are not a common species but they are offered in the hobby on occasion. They are fairly undemanding in the aquarium but many breeders report skewed sex ratios.

Photo of Ap[istogramma gephyra male

Apistogramma gephyra

Apistogramma gephyra (A231 – A233) is very similar to Apistogramma agassizii in both appearance and behavior. Several characteristics differentiate it from agassizii, especially its much rounder caudal fin (tail). While not regularly popular in North America it does occasionally appear on fish availability lists.