Apistogramma is a genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 of approximately a hundred species of fish from the family Cichlidae found in tropical areas of the Amazon basin

Amazon River

The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...

 and Venezuela

Venezuela

Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...

. Apistogramma literally means "irregular lateral line" referring to a common trait of the species under this taxon. Most species are strongly sexually dimorphic, with males generally larger (up to 7 to 9 cm) and differently coloured to females.

Breeding

Brood care is highly developed, as in most Cichlidae. All Apistogramma species spawn in caves, typically under rocks or in holes in sunken logs or branches. A number of breeding strategies exist. Some species breed in polygynous harems, while other species form monogamous pairs. In most cases, reagardless of the breeding strategy, the female is more highly involved with brood care, whilst the male defends a territory from predators. The sex of the fry is affected by the water conditions, with warmer and softer water favoring more males.

Diet

All Apistogramma species are micropredators. Their main prey items consist of insect larvae, fry of other fishes and other invertebrates.

Aquarium care

Apistogramma are popular aquarium residents, particularly in community or planted aquariums. These fish are quite peaceful, and won't attack fish from any other genus unless they enter their territory. In the Amazon, Apistogramma inhabit soft acidic water and require similar conditions in the aquarium. Many Apistogramma species are very sensitive to changes in water chemistry. Apistogramma are best kept in species tanks with plenty of cover (in the form of plants and driftwood). Although popular, Apistogramma species are not recommended for inexperienced cichlid hobbyists.

Species

Apistogramma acrensis Staeck, 2003 Apistogramma agassizii Apistogramma agassizii Apistogramma agassizii is the scientific name for the Agassiz's dwarf cichlid, a fish that occurres in many Southern tributaries of the Amazon river.- In the aquarium :... (Steindachner, 1875) Apistogramma alacrina Kullander, 2004 Apistogramma amoena Cope, 1872 Apistogramma arua Römer & Warzel, 1998 Apistogramma atahualpa Römer, 1997 Apistogramma baenschi Römer et al., 2004 Apistogramma barlowi Apistogramma barlowi Apistogramma barlowi is a species of dwarf cichlid in the Geophaginae subfamily. It was first located in Peru in 2000 and scientifically described in 2008.It lives in South America, and has only been found northwest of Pebas, Peru.... Römer & Hahn, 2008 Apistogramma bitaeniata Pellegrin, 1936 Apistogramma borellii Regan, 1906 Apistogramma brevis Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma cacatuoides Apistogramma cacatuoides Apistogramma cacatuoides is a species of South American cichlid usually known under the common name cockatoo dwarf cichlid. Unlike many other Apistogramma species, A. cacatuoides is not threatened by extinction, as it is widely bred in captivity for the aquarium trade.-Characteristics:The male... Hoedeman, 1951 Apistogramma caetei Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma commbrae Regan, 1906 Apistogramma cruzi Kullander, 1986 Apistogramma diplotaenia Kullander, 1987 Apistogramma elizabethae Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma eremnopyge Apistogramma eremnopyge Apistogramma eremnopyge is a species of cichlid. It is presently only known from the Rio Pintuyacu, a tributary of the Rio Itaya near Iquitos, Peru.... Ready & Kullander, 2004 Apistogramma erythura Staeck & Schindler, 2008 Apistogramma eunotus Kullander, 1981 Apistogramma geisleri Meinken, 1971 Apistogramma gephyra Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma gibbiceps Meinken, 1969 Apistogramma gossei Kullander, 1982 Apistogramma guttata Antonio C et al., 1989 Apistogramma hippolytae Kullander, 1982 Apistogramma hoignei Meinken, 1965 Apistogramma hongsloi Apistogramma hongsloi Apistogramma hongsloi is a species of South American cichlid fish.-Range and habitat:The cockatoo dwarf cichlid is found in South America: Orinoco River basin, in the Vichada River drainage and the middle Meta River drainage in Colombia, and along the middle Orinoco River basin.-Breeding:The female... Kullander, 1979 Apistogramma huascar Römer et al., 2006 Apistogramma inconspicua Kullander, 1983 Apistogramma iniridae Kullander, 1979 Apistogramma inornata Staeck, 2003 Apistogramma juruensis Kullander, 1986 Apistogramma linkei Koslowski, 1985 Apistogramma luelingi Kullander, 1976

Apistogramma maciliense Hasemen, 1911 Apistogramma macmasteri Apistogramma macmasteri Apistogramma macmasteri is a dwarf cichlid in the subfamily Geophaginae. It is a benthopelagic freshwater fish that lives in the Meta River and the Orinoco River in Colombia. They grow up to in total length.... Kullander, 1979 Apistogramma martini Römer et al., 2003 Apistogramma meinkeni Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma mendezi Römer, 1994 Apistogramma moae Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma nijsseni Apistogramma nijsseni Apistogramma nijsseni is a species of cichlid fish, endemic to the black water habitats in the Carahuayte river drainage, Peru. The species is popular aquarium fish amongst dwarf cichlid hobbyists.... Kullander, 1979 Apistogramma norberti Staeck, 1991 Apistogramma ortmanni Eigenmann, 1912 Apistogramma pantalone Römer et al., 2006 Apistogramma panduro Apistogramma panduro Apistogramma panduro is a benthopelagic freshwater fish from Peru.It is a dwarf cichlid, closely related to Apistogramma nijsseni.-External links:* - FishBase* - dwarfcichlid.com... Römer, 1997 Apistogramma paucisquamis Kullander, 1988 Apistogramma payaminonis Kullander, 1986 Apistogramma personata Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma pertensis Haseman, 1911 Apistogramma piauiensis Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma pleurotaenia Regan, 1909 Apistogramma pulchra Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma regani Apistogramma regani Apistogramma regani is a species of South American dwarf cichlid.It is a benthopelagic freshwater fish found in the Rio Negro tributary of the Amazon Basin.The specific name is in honour of the British ichthyologist Charles Tate Regan.... Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma resticulosa Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma rositae Römer et al., 2006 Apistogramma rubrolineata Hein, Zarske & Zapata, 2002 Apistogramma rupununi Fowler, 1914 Apistogramma similis Staeck, 2003 Apistogramma staecki Koslowski, 1985 Apistogramma steindachneri Regan, 1908 Apistogramma taeniata Apistogramma taeniata Apistogramma taeniata is a benthopelagic freshwater fish from South America.It is a dwarf cichlid.-External links:* - FishBase... Gunther, 1862 Apistogramma trifasciata Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903 Apistogramma tucurui Staeck, 2003 Apistogramma uaupesi Kullander, 1980 Apistogramma urteagai Kullander, 1986 Apistogramma velifera Staeck, 2003 Apistogramma viejita Apistogramma viejita Apistogramma viejita is a dwarf cichlid in the subfamily Geophaginae. It is a benthopelagic freshwater fish that lives in the Meta River and the Orinoco River in Colombia.They grow up to 4.6 cm in standard length.... Kullander, 1979 Apistogramma wapisana Römer et al., 2006 Source: FishBase FishBase FishBase is a comprehensive database of information about fish species . It is the largest and most extensively accessed online database on adult finfish on the web...  / Cichlid Atlas 2.