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Cichlids
/ South America / Dwarf Cichlids / Yellow Dwarf Cichlid
Yellow Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma borellii | Pictures
Synonyms: Apistogramma
reitzigi, A. ritense, A. aequipinnis, Heterogrammas borellii
Physical description: A laterally compressed cichlid that has a stockier, less elongated body than A. agassizi.
The
caudal fin is fan-shaped with in the male, the dorsal and anal fins meet at a point.
The head and the area just behind the
gill cover are golden-yellow.
The belly and the very top of the back may also be golden-yellow in color.
The
middle area of the body is pale blue as are the dorsal, pelvic, and front parts of the anal fins.
The dorsal and pelvic fins are gold-tipped.
The
caudal fin and most of the anal fin
is golden-yellow.
Often a red area develops on the caudal penuncle.
When
a fish is excited, several transverse marking develop on the sides of the fish.
A short, black stripe extend through
the eye and to the snout.
Size/Length: Males to 2.8" (7 cm), female to 2" (5 cm)
Similar species: None
Habitat: Found in shallow swampy regions along rivers.
South America; the Rio Paraguay and
the Pantanal (Matto Grosso).
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring 24" (61 cm) with a volume of 20 gallons (75 L) will do.
Follow
the recommendations under A.
agassizi.
Water chemistry: pH 5-7 (6.5), 1-10 dH (4), 77-81°F (25-27°C).
Social behavior: A peaceful, although territorial fish that can be combined with other
Apistogramma
species, catfish, and small characins of the upper swimming levels.
Keep one male with several females.
This
species will not harm plants.
Suggested companions: Corydoras
, tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, Loricarids,
Apistogramma.
FOOD: Live; crustaceans, insects, insect larvae; flakes; pellets; tablets; finely chopped
meat.
SEX: Males are more colorful, larger, and have elongated anal and dorsal fins.
Breeding techniques: Follow suggestions for
A. agassizi.
Fewer eggs (40-70) are laid than
A. agassizi
.
The fry are carefully paraded around the tank.
In cases where the eggs fail to hatch,
the female is said to collect a shoal of Daphnia
to protect as if they were her own brood.
Breeding potential: 8.
A. borellii
is a difficult fish to breed.
Remarks:
This species is sensitive to medications, disease, and poorly maintained water.
Make
frequent partial water changes.
Recently this fish has begun being bred in Singapore for export.
Difficulty of care: 7.
A delicate species that is only recommended for those aquariasts wanting a challenge.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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