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Apistogramma

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Apistogramma spp.

Complete Apistogramma care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Apistogramma

Quick Answer

Apistogramma (Apistogramma spp.) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.2 and temperature range of 26-30°C. This omnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Apistogramma (Apistogramma spp.) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. Known for their peaceful nature and distinct appearance, they occupy the bottom levels of the aquarium and bring dynamic energy to any setup.

Setup

Apistogramma requires a stable, well-filtered aquarium of at least 20 gallons. They thrive best with moderate water movement and a reliable heater to maintain temperatures around 26-30°C. Ensure pH levels remain consistent between 6.0 - 7.2 to prevent stress and support long-term health.

Feeding

As a omnivore, the Apistogramma is not a picky eater. They should be fed a high-quality base of flakes, sinking pellets, or wafers. Periodic supplementation with frozen or live foods, such as bloodworms or brine shrimp, will boost their health and colors.

Compatibility

Apistogramma has a peaceful temperament. They are compatible with other fish of similar sizes and temperaments. Avoid placing them with aggressive species or tankmates they are listed as incompatible with, such as: african cichlid, oscar.

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
26-30°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.2

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Apistogramma should be kept together to minimize aggression?
Maintain as a single bonded pair or a harem of one male with 3-4 females in a tank of 20 gallons (75 liters) minimum with a footprint of 30x12 inches (75x30 cm). Apistogramma are micro-territorial dwarf cichlids; keeping multiple males in under 40 gallons (150 liters) leads to lethal fighting. Provide at least 5 cave shelters (coconut shells, ceramic tubes) and dense leaf litter (oak or Indian almond) to break line of sight. For community tanks, keep one male only. Maintain a female-biased ratio of 1:3 to spread male attention.
What are the precise water parameters for Apistogramma species?
Wild-caught Apistogramma require pH 5.0 - 6.5, General Hardness 0 - 4 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 0 - 2 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 20 - 80 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 30 - 150 μS/cm, and temperature 75°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C). Tank-bred varieties tolerate pH up to 7.0 and dGH up to 8. Use RO water mixed with blackwater extract or peat filtration. Maintain near-zero nitrates (<5 ppm) using a sponge filter. Add catappa leaves (1 per 5 gallons) to release humic acids. Avoid alkaline substrates (crushed coral, aragonite).
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Apistogramma?
They are micro-predators requiring 50% protein, 20% fat, and 30% plant matter. Feed live or frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and blackworms as staples (3 times daily). Supplement with high-protein sinking micro-granules (Sera micron). They refuse dry flakes; crushed pellets must be pre-soaked. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.1 mg/L lethal) and formalin. Use half-strength malachite green for ich. Praziquantel (2 mg/L) is safe for tapeworms. Avoid dimetridazole and high-salt baths (over 5 ppt). Always quarantine new fish for 21 days.
How to breed Apistogramma with environmental triggers?
Condition a harem (1 male, 3 females) with live blackworms for 14 days. Simulate dry season by lowering water level to 6 inches (15 cm) for 7 days. Trigger rainy season: Refill with cool (68°F/20°C) RO water to drop temperature by 5°F (3°C) and perform 50% water change with pH 5.5, 0 dGH water. Increase photoperiod to 14 hours. The female selects a cave and lays 40-100 eggs. She guards while male stays away. Eggs hatch in 72 hours at 80°F (27°C). Fry are free-swimming at day 7; feed microworms and baby brine shrimp 4 times daily. Remove male after spawning.