Apistogramma piaroa – Piaroa Dwarfcichlid
The species was first described by Mesa S. & Lasso in 2011. They belong to the family Cichlidae. The name Apistogramma comes from the Greek ‘apistos’ (uncertain) and ‘gramma’ (line), which refers to the fish’s unreliable lateral line. The name “Piaroa” refers to an indigenous people living along the Orinoco River in Colombia and Venezuela.
Before the species was officially described they were offered under the names Apistogramma sp. “Breitbinden/Broad-banded”, A. cf. sp. “Breitbinden”, A. sp. “Caño Morrocoy”.
Description
Appearance:
Apistogramma piaroa has an oval body with an average length of 4 to 6 centimeters. The color of the head and flank varies, but they often have a thick black band from the bottom of the eye to the bottom of the gill. The fins are often colorful, with males having elongated fin rays.
The female Apistogramma piaroa is typically less conspicuously colored than the male, often with subtle shades. During the breeding season, the female’s colors, especially yellow, become more intense to deter potential threats and protect her young.
Differences between males and females:
Males are larger (up to 8 cm) and more colorful than females (up to 5 cm). During the breeding season, females can become aggressive. During the breeding season, the color of the female changes to yellow.
Behavior and temperament:
Apistogramma piaroa is generally peaceful but can be territorial, especially during the breeding season. They usually live in pairs and are bottom dwellers.
Life expectancy:
They can live up to 5 years in an aquarium.
Biotope
Apistogramma piaroa is native to Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. They live in the upper reaches of the Rio Orinoco and Rio Negro. Their natural habitat consists of shallow waters with much leaf litter on the bottom. They live in a tropical climate with seasonal flooding.
Diet
In the wild:
Apistogramma piaroa is omnivorous with a carnivorous tendency.
In the aquarium:
They prefer live and frozen food such as mosquito larvae and artemia. Dry food is usually ignored.
The Aquarium
An aquarium of at least 80 centimeters is suitable for a pair. For multiple pairs, a larger aquarium is needed. The aquarium should be set up with sand, driftwood, branches and a layer of leaves. Suitable water values are a pH of 4.5-6.0 and a temperature of 24-27 °C. They can live well together with peaceful species such as tetras. If you want to breed with this species, it is best to avoid Corydoras species. The Corydoras does not care about the territory of the Apistogramma and then simply rolls through the nests.
Breeding aquarium and conditioning
Apistogramma piaroa can be bred in a regular aquarium, but a special breeding tank of 60 centimeters may be necessary. The water should be soft and acidic. Conditioning can be done with live food.
The spawn
During spawning, the colours become more intense. The female usually lays the eggs on the roof of a cave. About 50 to 70 eggs are laid. After laying the eggs in the Apistogramma piaroa, the female takes care of the eggs. She fans the eggs to provide them with oxygen and guards the nest.
Raising the fry
The eggs hatch after 2 to 3 days. The fry start to swim freely after about 5 days. The female takes care of the fry for 4 to 8 weeks. Artemia nauplii are suitable as first food.
Particularities
Apistogramma piaroa is less aggressive than other Apistogramma species. They are sensitive to changes in water parameters.
Conclusion
Apistogramma piaroa is an interesting species for aquarists with some experience. They are relatively peaceful and can be kept well in a community aquarium. Respecting their specific water and feeding needs is important to ensure their well-being. The species offers fascinating breeding behavior and parental care, which can enrich the aquarium experience.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Erik Bakker – Aqua-specials.nl
