Apistogramma

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Genus of fishes

title: "Apistogramma" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["apistogramma", "geophagini", "cichlid-fish-of-south-america", "freshwater-fish-genera", "taxa-named-by-charles-tate-regan"] description: "Genus of fishes" topic_path: "general/apistogramma" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apistogramma" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Genus of fishes ::

| image = Apistogramma bitaeniata.jpg | image_caption = Apistogramma bitaeniata | image2 = Apistogramma hongsloi (m).jpg | image2_caption = Apistogramma hongsloi | taxon = Apistogramma | display_parents = 3 | authority = Regan, 1913 | type_species = Mesops taeniatus | type_species_authority = Günther, 1862 | synonyms = Heterogramma Regan, 1906

Pintoichthys Fowler, 1954

Apistogramma is a large genus of freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae native to South America, but also commonly kept in aquariums. They are dwarf cichlids that mostly feed on tiny animals and have breeding behaviors that vary depending on the exact species.

Range, conservation status and habitat

Apistogramma are exclusively found in tropical and subtropical South America in the lowlands east of the Andes. The highest richness is in the western Amazon Basin and Orinoco Basin, but there are also species in the Guianan Shield, eastern Amazon Basin, rivers flowing into the Atlantic in northern Brazil (Tocantins–Araguaia to Parnaíba) and the Río de la Plata Basin. Although a few species are widespread, most members of this genus have small ranges. Few members of the genus have been evaluated by the IUCN, mostly either ranking as least concern (not threatened) or data deficient (limited available data prevents an evaluation), but some of the highly localized Apistogramma species likely are threatened. Primary threats to their survival are deforestation (causing changes in their microhabitat) and pollution (for example by oil drilling or mining).

Apistogramma generally inhabit streams, or edges of rivers or lakes.

Appearance

Apistogramma are dwarf cichlids with adults reaching between 2 and(-) in standard length depending on species. Additionally, they often change color depending on behavior, for example when looking for food, breeding or during aggressive encounters. A few species, including A. agassizii, A. cacatuoides, A hongsloi and A. macmasteri, have been selectively bred by aquarists to achieve brighter colors than the natural, wild forms.

Behavior

Apistogramma are omnivores, but tending towards micropredatory. Their main food items consist of aquatic insect larvae and other small invertebrates, fish fry, algae and plant debris.

Brood care is highly developed, as in most cichlids. Nearly all Apistogramma species spawn in crevices (small caves), typically in holes in sunken logs or branches, or in leaf litter aggregations. A number of breeding strategies exist in the genus. Some species breed in polygamous harems, while other species form monogamous pairs. In most cases, regardless of the breeding strategy, the female is more highly involved with care of the eggs and fry, whilst the male defends a territory from predators.

Taxonomy and species

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Apistogramma_agassizii_in_aquarium.jpg" caption="''[[Apistogramma agassizii]]'', male"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Apistogramma_allpahuayo_Schwarzkinn-Zwergbuntbarsch.jpg" caption="''[[Apistogramma allpahuayo]]'', male"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Apistogramma_borellii.jpg" caption="''[[Apistogramma borellii]]'', pair"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Apistogramma_erythrura.jpg" caption="''[[Apistogramma erythrura]]'', male"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Apistogramma_nijsseni_mf_mirror.jpg" caption="''[[Apistogramma nijsseni]]'', female and male"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Apistogramma_trifasciata.jpg" caption="''[[Apistogramma trifasciata]]'', male"] ::

Apistogramma is part of Geophagini and its closest relatives are Apistogrammoides and Taeniacara. There are currently 93 recognized Apistogramma species, making it the most species-rich genus of cichlid in the Americas, together with Crenicichla. Several of the recognized species occur in more than one form, and some of these actually may represent separate species, as appears to be the case for the "Papagayo" and "Pebás" forms, both typically included in A. ortegai. A comprehensive taxonomic review of the genus is necessary. The genus is sometimes divided into subgroups based on the appearance and phylogenetic relationship of the various species.

References

References

  1. {{FishBase genus. (2019)
  2. (2017). "Field Guide to the Fishes of the Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas". Princeton University Press.
  3. 10.1590/S1679-62252005000300003
  4. Wise, M.. (1 October 2017). "Apistogramma Species List By Species-Groups/Complexes". Apisto sites.
  5. 10.1371/journal.pone.0182618
  6. Römer, U., Duponchelle, F., Vela Diaz, A., Garcia Davilla, C., Sirvas, S., Diaz Catchay, C. & Renno, J.-F. (2011): [http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz61-1/08_vertebrate_zoology_61-1_roemer.pdf ''Apistogramma cinilabra'' sp. n.: Description of a potentially endangered endemic cichlid species (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae) from the Departamento Loreto, Peru.] ''Vertebrate Zoology, 61 (1): 3-23.''
  7. Römer, U., Soares, D.P., García Dávila, C.R., Duponchelle, F., Renno, J.-F. & Hahn, I. (2015): [http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz65-3/02_vertebrate_zoology_65-3_roemer_online-first.pdf Re-description of ''Apistogramma payaminonis'' Kullander, 1986, with descriptions of two new cichlid species of the genus ''Apistogramma'' (Teleostei, Perciformes, Geophaginae) from northern Peru.] ''Vertebrate Zoology, 65 (3): 305–332.''
  8. Most prefer sheltered habitats with [[leaf litter]] on the bottom in water with little movement and a shallow depth, up to about {{cvt. 40. cm
  9. Rodrigues, R.R., L.N. Carvalho, J. Zuanon, and K. Del-Claro (2009). Color changing and behavioral context in the Amazonian Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma hippolytae (Perciformes). Neotrop. ichthyol. 7(4). {{doi. 10.1590/S1679-62252009000400013
  10. "Apistogramma agassizii". SeriouslyFish.
  11. "Apistogramma cacatuoides". SeriouslyFish.
  12. "Apistogramma hongsloi". dwarfcichlid.com.
  13. "Apistogramma macmasteri". SeriouslyFish.
  14. (2018). "Beiträge zur Biologie von Apistogramma-Arten: Auch Apistogramma pantalone Römer et al., 2006 ist ein fakultativer Maulbrüter". DCG-Informationen.
  15. Ospina-Álvarez, N., and F. Piferrer (2008). Temperature-dependent sex determination in fish revisited: Prevalence, a single sex ratio response pattern, and possible effects of climate change. PLoS One 3(7): e2837. {{doi. 10.1371/journal.pone.0002837
  16. López-Fernández, H., R.L. Honeycutt, M.L.J. Stiassny, and K.O. Winemiller (2005). Morphology, molecules, and character congruence in the phylogeny of South American geophagine cichlids (Perciformes, Labroidei). Zoologica Scripta 34(6): 627–651. {{doi. 10.1111/j.1463-6409.2005.00209.x
  17. Römer, U. & Hahn, I. (2013): [http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz63-2/05_vertebrate_zoology_63-2_roemer_171-181.pdf ''Apistogramma aguarico'' sp. n.: A new species of geophagine cichlid fish (Teleostei: Perciformes) from the Ecuadorian and Peruvian río Napo system.] ''Vertebrate Zoology, 63 (2): 171-181.''
  18. Römer, U., Beninde, J., Duponchelle, F., Vela Díaz, A., Ortega, H., Hahn, I., Soares, D.P., Díaz Cachay, C., García Dávila, C.R., Sirvas Cornejo, S. & Renno, J.-F. (2012): [http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz62-2/04_vertebrate_zoology_62-2_roemer_et_al_189-212.pdf Description of ''Apistogramma allpahuayo'' sp. n., a new dwarf cichlid species (Teleostei: Perciformes: Geophaginae) from in and around the Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo Mishana, Loreto, Peru.] ''Vertebrate Zoology, 62 (2): 189–212.''
  19. Mesa S., L.M.. (2011). "Revisión del género ''Apistogramma'' Regan, 1913 (Perciformes, Cichlidae) en la cuenca del río Orinoco.". Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt.
  20. Varella, H.R. & Britzke, R. (2016): [http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief27_1_08.pdf ''Apistogramma eleutheria'' and ''A. flavipedunculata'', two new species of dwarf cichlids from the rio Curuá on Serra do Cachimbo, Brazil (Teleostei: Cichlidae).] ''Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 27 (1): 81-95.''
  21. Schindler, I. & Staeck, W. (2013): [http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz63-3/08_vertebrate_zoology_63-3_schindler_301-306.pdf Description of ''Apistogramma helkeri'' sp. n., a new geophagine dwarf cichlid (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the lower río Cuao (Orinoco drainage) in Venezuela.] ''Vertebrate Zoology, 63 (3): 301-306.''
  22. Varella, H.R. & Sabaj Pérez, M.H. (2014): [http://aquadico.com/up/ief25_3_061.pdf A titan among dwarfs: ''Apistogramma kullanderi'', new species (Teleostei: Cichlidae).] ''Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 25 (3): 243-258.''
  23. Mesa Salazar, L.M. & Lasso, C.A. (2011): [http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/491/49122290002.pdf ''Apistogramma megaptera'' (Perciformes: Cichlidae), una nueva especie para la cuenca del Orinoco.] ''Biota Colombiana, 12 (1): 19-30.''
  24. Britzke, R., Oliveira, C. & Kullander, S.O. (2014): [http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2014/f/zt03869p419.pdf ''Apistogramma ortegai'' (Teleostei: Cichlidae), a new species of cichlid fish from the Ampyiacu River in the Peruvian Amazon basin.] ''Zootaxa, 3869 (4): 409–419.''
  25. Römer, U., Beninde, J., Duponchelle, F., García Dávila, C.R., Vela Díaz, A. & Renno, J.-F. (2013): [http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz63-1/03_vertebrate_zoology_63-1_roemer_15-34.pdf Description of ''Apistogramma paulmuelleri'' sp. n., a new geophagine cichlid species (Teleostei: Perciformes) from the Amazon river basin in Loreto, Peru.] ''Vertebrate Zoology, 63 (1): 15-34.''
  26. Römer, U., Beninde, J. & Hahn, I. (2011): [http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz61-3/05_vertebrate_zoology_61-3_roemer_beninde_hahn_321.pdf ''Apistogramma playayacu'' sp. n.: Description of a new cichlid species (Teleostei: Perciformes: Geophaginae) from the Rio Napo system, Ecuador.] ''Vertebrate Zoology, 61 (3): 321-333.''
  27. Staeck, W. & Schindler, I. (2016): [http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz66-2/04_vertebrate_zoology_66-2_staeck_141-150.pdf ''Apistogramma sororcula'', a new dwarf cichlid (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the drainage of the rio Guaporé in Bolivia and Brazil.] ''Vertebrate Zoology, 66 (2): 141-150.''

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