Apistogramma

Apistogramma
Apistogramma agassizii
Apistogramma nijsseni
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Subfamily: Geophaginae
Genus: Apistogramma
Regan, 1913
Type species
Mesops taeniatus
Günther, 1862
Synonyms

Heterogramma Regan, 1906
Pintoichthys Fowler, 1954

Apistogramma is a genus of approximately a hundred species of fish from the family Cichlidae. They are found east of the Andes in tropical and subtropical South America, ranging as far south as northern Argentina. The greatest species richness is in the Amazon Basin. Apistogramma literally means "irregular lateral line" referring to a common trait of the species under this taxon. Most species are strongly sexually dimorphic, with males generally larger (up to 7 to 9 cm) and differently coloured to females. But in a few species this pattern is reverse. All Apistogramma species are micropredators. Their main prey items consist of fry of other fish, insect larvae and other invertebrates. Apistogramma species are popular aquarium residents, particularly in community or planted aquariums.

Breeding

Brood care is highly developed, as in most Cichlidae. Nearly all Apistogramma species spawn in caves, typically under rocks or in holes in sunken logs or branches. In the recently described species Apistogramma barlowi both females and (less frequent) males are mouthbrooding. A number of breeding strategies exist. 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 brood care, whilst the male defends a territory from predators. The sex of the fry is affected by the water conditions, with warmer and more acid water favoring more males.

Species

There are currently 91 recognized species in this genus:

References

  1. ↑ Römer, U. & Hahn, I. (2013): 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.
  2. ↑ Römer, U., Beninde, J., Duponchelle, F., Vela Díaz, A., Ortega, H., Hahn, I., Soares, D.P., Cachay, C.D., Dávila, C.R.G., Cornejo, S.S. & Renno, J.-F. (2012): 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.
  3. 1 2 Varella, H.R. & Britzke, R. (2016): 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.
  4. 1 2 3 Römer, U., Soares, D.P., Dávila, C.R.G., Duponchelle, F., Renno, J.-F. & Hahn, I. (2015). "Re-description of Apistogramma payaminonis Kullander, 1986, with descriptions of two new cichlid species of the genus Apistogramma (Teleostei, Perciformes, Geophaginae) from northern Peru" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology,. 65 (3): 305–332.
  5. ↑ Schindler, I. & Staeck, W. (2013): 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.
  6. ↑ Varella, H.R. & Sabaj Pérez, M.H. (2014): A titan among dwarfs: Apistogramma kullanderi, new species (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 25 (3): 243-258.
  7. ↑ Britzke, R., Oliveira, C.d. & Kullander, S.O. (2014): Apistogramma ortegai (Teleostei: Cichlidae), a new species of cichlid fish from the Ampyiacu River in the Peruvian Amazon basin. Zootaxa, 3869 (4): 409–419.
  8. ↑ Römer, U., Beninde, J., Duponchelle, F., Dávila, C.R.G., Díaz, A.V. & Renno, J.-F. (2013): 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.
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