Apistogramma bitaeniata

Origin: The Amazon basin,Peru and Brazil

Size: Maximum 7 cm

Habitat: Upper and central regions of the Amazon river. Lago Tefe and Igarape Preto, Brazil.

 

Shape and Markings.

The body is elongated and laterally slightly compressed. The basic coloration is greyish, yellowish brown. A black band runs from the eye to the caudal peduncle: another runs down from the eye to the edge of the gill cover.

The dorsal fin rays are elongated, the front rays being black. Some of the outer rays of the caudal fin are elongatedso that the fin tapers to two points. The middle rays of the anal fin, and the front rays of the ventral fins are also elongated. The fins are a soft violet blue: a yellow band lies at the base of the dorsal fin, and varies in intensity, according to mood. The caudal and anal fins have red marks and flecks.

Females are smaller. Usually a dull brown: in the spawning season and when exicited they become yellow with deep black marks.

 

General Care.

A. bitaeniata is rather shy species. Their aquarium should therefore be densely planted and offer many hiding facilities. A partly dense canopy of floating plants is recommendable since it provides and additional feeling of safety to the fish and reduces their shyness. Soft, slightly acidic water-values are of advantage for the husbandry and a varying diet should be given attention. Water temperature of 27 C on average are suitable for this species requirements.

 

Breeding

Total hardness 1-2 dH, pH around 6. Temperature 27C. An aquarium of 60 cm or more in lenght is advisable. The fish spawn in inside small shelters, on the ceilings of caves or below plant leaves. The family structure is of the male- mother type with the female along caring for and guiding the fry. The male meanwhile defends the territory. This species is not very productive with 50 juveniles being an average. Fresh hatched nauplii of Brine shrimps should be provided for the fry several times a day and with a third of the water-volume changed every two to four days, the fry grows very quickly. The female guides the juveniles for three to four weeks.

A. bitaeniata"kleei" male

The "kleei was long known as a own apistogramma species, but is actully a local specie of the A. bitaeniata.