Apistogramma borellii – Borelli’s Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma borellii was first described by Charles Tate Regan in 1906. The name borellii is derived from the discoverer of this fish, Dr. A. Borelli. Apisto is Greek for unreliable and gramma means line or stripe; this is a reference to the interrupted lateral line of this genus. Their common name is Borelli’s Dwarf Cichlid.
Synonyms for Apistogramma borellii include: Heterogramma borellii, Heterogramma ritense, Heterogramma rondoni, Apistogramma aequipinnis, and Apistogramma reitzigi. It is important to note that using synonyms can cause confusion, so it is recommended always to use the accepted scientific name, Apistogramma borellii.
Description
Apistogramma borellii has an oval-shaped body. Males are more brightly colored than females. Depending on the color variant, male Apistogramma borellii may have heads and flanks that are predominantly golden yellow or red/blue at the front, featuring striking metallic powder blue undertones along the flanks and back. The fins often have golden tips. Females are smaller and less colorful, though they become bright yellow during the breeding season. The specific color patterns can vary depending on the variant, such as blue, opal, or yellow-headed. Both males and females reach a maximum length of about 8 centimeters, with females being slightly smaller at around 4.5 centimeters. Juvenile fish are less colorful than adults.
Differences between males and females: Males are significantly larger than females and have longer fins, particularly the dorsal, ventral, and anal fins, which can be so elongated that they almost reach the caudal fin. In contrast, females are smaller and less colorful, with shorter fins. Behaviorally, males tend to be territorial, especially during the breeding season, while females are responsible for caring for the eggs and young.
Behavior and Temperament: Apistogramma borellii is generally a peaceful fish, although males can become territorial, particularly during the breeding season. They prefer to live in pairs or in harems, consisting of one male with several females. In larger aquariums, multiple males can coexist, as long as there are enough hiding places to reduce conflict. These fish are bottom dwellers that enjoy the cover of plants and decorations. They are not shy and are relatively easy to observe.
Life expectancy: In the wild, the lifespan is estimated at around 5 years. Under good aquarium conditions, they can also reach a similar age.
Synonyms: Heterogramma borellii, Heterogramma ritense, Heterogramma rondoni, Apistogramma aequipinnis, and Apistogramma reitzigi.
Biotope
Apistogramma borellii is found in the wild in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay. These fish primarily inhabit the southern regions of these countries, particularly in subtropical climates. They are commonly found in slow-moving, shallow streams and tributaries of the Rio Paraguay and lower Rio Paraná basins, as well as in areas such as Mato Grosso, the Pantanal, and the Rio das Mortes. Their habitat also includes lakes and lagoons.
The natural habitat of this fish features a sandy bottom, often blanketed with a layer of leaf litter from trees such as beech, oak, or Ketapang almond trees. The water’s edges are typically thickly covered with macrophytes (aquatic plants). Additionally, there are numerous hiding spots provided by roots, branches, and other objects.
Apistogramma borellii lives in a subtropical climate, with seasonal variations in temperature and water level. Periods of flooding and drought may occur.
Diet
In the wild, Apistogramma borellii feeds on a varied diet of small invertebrates, insect larvae, worms and other small aquatic animals. They forage on the bottom and among aquatic plants.
A varied diet can be offered in the aquarium, consisting of:
- High-quality dry food (pellets or flakes), specially formulated for dwarf cichlids.
- Frozen food such as artemia, daphnia, cyclops and red mosquito larvae. This serves as a supplement to the dry food and provides extra nutrients.
- Small live foods like mosquito larvae, water fleas (Daphnia), and Cyclops provide a good source of protein and stimulate the natural behavior of fish.
It is important to vary the food to ensure optimal nutrition. Overfeeding should be avoided as this can lead to water pollution. Small amounts of food, several times a day, are recommended.
The Aquarium
For a pair of Apistogramma borellii, it is recommended to have an aquarium that is at least 60 centimeters long. However, a larger aquarium—such as one that is 100 centimeters or more—is always preferable, especially if you intend to keep a harem or multiple pairs. When housing multiple pairs, a significantly larger aquarium is necessary to provide enough territory for each pair and to reduce aggression.
The setup should mimic the natural habitat. A sandy bottom is ideal, supplemented with various hiding places such as roots, rocks, and densely planted areas with aquatic plants. Use dried leaf litter such as beech leaves, oak leaves or Ketapang almond leaves on the bottom. Avoid sharp objects that can injure the fish. A weak to moderate current is desirable.
The ideal water parameters for this species are a pH between 6 and 8, a general hardness (GH) between 3 and 6, and a temperature range of 20 to 28°C. It is essential to maintain stable water conditions by performing regular water changes of 20-30% each month. This species is highly sensitive to water pollution and fluctuations in water quality.
In the wild, temperatures can vary significantly. During winter, air temperatures can drop considerably. This also affects the shallow waters where Apistogramma borellii resides, causing water temperatures to fall to as low as 16 degrees, and in some areas, even down to 12 degrees. Therefore, it’s not harmful to reduce the temperature by a few degrees in winter. However, for breeding, a slightly higher temperature is necessary.
Suitable tankmates for the Apistogramma borellii include small, peaceful fish, such as certain species of tetras and dwarf pencilfish. It’s best to avoid larger, aggressive fish or those that may challenge the hiding spots of the Apistogramma borellii. Additionally, Corydoras species are not recommended, as they tend to ignore the territorial behavior of this dwarf cichlid, which can lead to stress for the Apistogramma.
Keeping the fish at the maximum temperature all year round is not good for them. They then remain in breeding mode, which can significantly shorten their lifespan. It is wise to set the temperature to around 20 degrees Celsius and let the lights and ambient temperature do the rest. This way you get a day and night fluctuation, and warmer water in the summer.
Breeding Apistogramma borellii
A slightly higher temperature is usually required to get the Apistogramma borellii to spawn. They are cave breeders, 50 to 70 eggs are deposited in a cave. After mating, the male is chased away by the female and she is responsible for breeding. The eggs hatch after about 4 to 5 days. Another 5 to 6 days later the fry can swim freely. The fry can be raised with brine shrimp nauplii.
If you have several females with young in your tank, females may steal young from each other. This results in mixed age groups of fry, where the youngest fish learn from the slightly older ones to follow the mother’s instructions.
Video
Author
John de Lange|
Coby
Jelle Touwen
Copyright images
Erik Bakker
F. Ingemann Hansen – Akvariefotografen.com
