Apistogramma barlowi

Apistogramma barlowi is the ideal Apistogramma for both the novice aquarium keeper and the advanced breeder.

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Apistogramma barlowi

Apistograma barlowi is a robust species of Apistogramma that can grow up to about 8 centimeters in length. There are two known color variations of this species. Males have a light base color with blue iridescent scales, and their tail fin is yellow on the lower half. In contrast, females are grayish-yellow; during the mating season, they become bright yellow with dark black spots.

Origin

Río Ampiyacu, Peru.

The Aquarium

For natural decoration, hiding places should be made using wood and half coconuts. Furthermore, dried leaves can be added, as the leaves decompose a detritus layer forms on the bottom (see food). Floating plants can be added to filter the light. These fish also feel perfectly at home in a planted aquarium.

Water parameters

Temperature: 22-28 degrees Celsius
PH: 4 -7.5
GH: 0-12

In general, this fish is also easy to keep for beginning aquarists. They do well in medium-hard water with a neutral acidity.

In nature, fish have to deal with fluctuating temperatures. Keeping fish at the minimum or maximum temperature for a long time is not always desirable and can shorten their average lifespan.

Diet

Apistogramma are naturally detritivorous, a layer of detritus on the bottom from which they filter their food is ideal. They also like small live food such as mosquito larvae, mysis, daphnia, cyclops, and artemia, as well as frozen food. Dry food is generally well accepted.

Character

The females of this species can be quite intolerant towards each other. Therefore it is wise to keep a maximum of one male with one female in a tank up to 1 meter. In larger tanks, one male can be kept with three females. The most ideal is to keep a group of at least 3 males and twice as many females in a well-equipped tank from 1.50m, in which the aggression is well distributed. Towards other inhabitants, it is a peaceful fish. In the wild this species occurs with Nannostomus marginatus, Apistogramma aggasizii, Crenuchus spirulus and Pyrrhulina spp..

Breeding Apistogramma barlowi

Breeding Apistogramma barlowi differs from breeding other Apistogramma species. In this case, the female lays her eggs in a cave. After the larvae hatch, the mother, and sometimes the father, carry them in their mouths until the young fish begin to swim on their own. To successfully breed this fish, very soft water is essential. The nests are smaller than those of other species since not as many young can fit in the mother’s mouth. For raising the young, infusoria, Artemia, and young Daphnia can be used as food sources.

Video

Author

Jelle

Copyright images

F. Ingemann Hansen – Akvariefotografen.com
David Rejdemyhr

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Additional information

Family

Genus

Species

barlowi

First described by

Ingo J. Hahn, Uwe Römer

Character

Social behaviour

Breeding behaviour

Diet

Zone

Origin

Country

Minimum length

5

Length maximum

8

Temperature minimum

22

Temperature maximum

28

pH minimum

4.0

pH maximum

7.5

GH max

12