Banded Apistogramma

A slender dwarf cichlid with two dark longitudinal bands. Adult males have extended dorsal and anal fins, a lyre-shaped caudal fin, and variable blue, yellow, orange, and red colour. Females are smaller and show yellow-and-black breeding colour.

The two longitudinal dark bands and male caudal shape are central identification features. Colour varies by locality, so names such as Tefé or Shushupe should be treated as population labels rather than separate species.

Males are larger, more colourful, and develop extended fins and a lyre-shaped tail. Females are smaller with shorter fins and become bright yellow with dark brood markings.

Use a mature 60 cm or longer aquarium with fine sand, leaf litter, roots, wood, dim cover, and several narrow caves. A trio needs more floor space than a pair. Keep filtration gentle and avoid exposed bright layouts.

A territorial lower-level cichlid that is often shy in open aquaria and becomes assertive around spawning sites.

A pair or small harem can be maintained where every female has a separate cave territory and sight lines are broken by wood and plants.

Brooding females vigorously defend eggs and fry. Males patrol a larger territory and may harass females that are not ready to spawn.

Small peaceful upper-water fish can provide reassurance in a display tank, but they may eat fry. Avoid other dwarf cichlids, active bottom dwellers, fin-nippers, and ornamental shrimp.

Wild fish come from soft acidic blackwater. Long-term care is possible toward the upper end of the range, but reliable egg development generally requires lower hardness, low alkalinity, and acidic water.

A small-invertebrate predator that should receive varied live, frozen, and high-quality prepared foods.

Feed small portions once or twice daily. Newly imported fish may need live or frozen foods before accepting pellets. Avoid a long-term single-food diet.

A cave-spawning maternal brood-care species. The female lays adhesive eggs on the cave ceiling, tends the clutch, and later leads the fry. Very soft acidic water and live conditioning foods are usually needed for dependable results.