Blackstripe dwarf cichlid - Apistogramma gibbiceps

Food and feeding
Although these fish will accept all foods that are offered, they do better on a good selection of live or frozen foods. Feed them quality flake or small pellets with a selection of blood worms, brine shrimp, whiter worms and daphnia.

Origin
South America; they are to be found in the Amazonian River Basins, Rio Negro and the Rio Branco.

Sexing
Males tend to be slightly larger than the females with extended dorsal and anal fins.

Breeding
Sometimes, it can be a difficult task to get these fish to spawn. They are cave spawners and about 200 eggs will de laid in each batch. The female will tend the nest while the male will defend the territory from predators. The eggs should hatch after 3 days and the fry will be free swimming a few days later. Initially they can be fed on Infusoria and as they grow, they will accept newly hatched brine shrimp.

Lifespan
The expected life span for this fish is 3-5 years.

Short description
These are a peaceful species that do well in a heavily planted tank. It is best to keep a couple of females with each male and they prefer slightly acidic water.

Pictures
Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.