Apistogramma wapisana

Scientific name Apistogramma wapisana
Descriptor Römer
Year of description 2006
IUCN category NE
Family Cichlidae
Genus Apistogramma
Apistogramma wapisana Apistogramma wapisana

Introduction

Apistogramma wapisana is a little fresh water fish from the Amérique du Sud.

Who is it?

Genus Apistogramma

In 2019 according to Fishbase, 89 species belong to genus Apistogramma. Fishes of this genus all belong to the „dwarf cichlids“ family. As a reminder, cichlids are one of the main freshwater families. Most of the Apistogramma fishes measure less than 10 cm, which is why they have been attributed the adjective „dwarf“.

Into the wild, these fishes can be found in almost the entire neotropical realm, east of the Andes, with a high concentration in the Amazon Basin. Most of them live in highly localized and isolated areas, in drainage systems of lowlands tropical rainforests and in open savannas around the Amazone, Orinoco and Paraguay rivers areas. Some species are widespread such as A.agassiziiA. bitaeniataA. cacatuoides or A. trifasciata.

Other species with a narrow geographic distribution are particularly threatened by rapid environmental changes and could be affected by forest degradation or dam construction.

Apistogramma fishes generally inhabit edges of streams or rivers, in waters of shallow depth and with leaf litter on the bottom. They can be found in all kinds of waters (clear waters, dark waters, white water streams). These territorial small fishes take good care of their offsprings. Sociability varies from one species to the other.

In these characteristic environments, they swim along various species of tetras, pencil fishes, Corydoras fishes and Loricariidae. Others cichlids also inhabit this kind of habitat.

It is clear that some species have not been described to date. Researches are ongoing in order to further refine information on this genus. Three main subgroups of Apistogramma fishes have been identified: the steindachneri, the agassizii and the regani lineages. Despite strong similarities between certain species, hybridization risks are very low. Wild females are very picky and a study shows that they recognize males from a same territory and will choose them in order to reproduce.

This genus is considered as the sister clade of the Taeniacara genus.

Morphology

  • Type
  • Average size
    3 cm
  • Maximum size
    4 cm
  • Longevity
    3 year
  • Shape
    Oval
  • Type
  • Average size
    3 cm
  • Maximum size
    4 cm
  • Longevity
    3 year
  • Shape
    Oval

How to recognize Apistogramma wapisana ?

Apistogramma wapisana measures between 3 and 4 cm. Given its small size, this species is commonly referred to as a "dwarf" animal.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    omnivorous
  • Sociability
    living as a couple
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Way of living
    diurnal

Apistogramma wapisana is a fish living as a couple naturally found near the bottom. This species is omnivorous . Measuring only a few centimeters, this small species tends to be discreet and hide in the presence of larger neighbors.

This species is territorial and does not appreciate the presence of intruders nearby, especially animals with similar behavior. It can also be virulent toward conspecifics. However, Apistogramma wapisana has little concern for non-territorial animals.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond sur substrat caché

Apistogramma wapisana is a fish ovipare qui pond sur substrat caché.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    26 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    5 - 7
  • gh (hardness)
    2 - 12
  • Flow
    Stagnant

Biotope presentation

The acidification of water comes from the decomposition of plants. This phenomenon changes the color of the water, which tends to turn brown. In some areas particularly rich in organic matter, the water is so dark that it is called "black water".

This species lives near large roots, in which it can find refuge in case of danger. This type of habitat is often found not far from the banks.

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    50 liters
  • Population min
    2
  • Temperature
    26 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    5 - 7

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    hard
  • Robustness
    sensible
  • Behaviour
    slightly aggressive
  • Availability
    unavailable

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for Apistogramma wapisana

Apistogramma wapisana is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 26 °C and 28 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 31°C for long periods. Apistogramma wapisana is sensitive to abrupt changes in parameters as well as to chemicals. Its acclimation in an aquarium must be done with special care to prevent it from developing diseases or weaknesses. Nitrate levels should remain below 25mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.

Apistogramma wapisana is a species whose maintenance is rather reserved for informed aquarists . It can only be successfully carried out by carrying out a minimum of documentation work. Special husbandry conditions can easily lead to the death of the species.

Cohabitation & Environment

Apistogramma wapisana is a fish which it is advisable to maintain in specific aquarium. A 50 liter tank is sufficient to consider its breeding. Associating it with other species is not fundamentally impossible but a documentation work is necessary for the constitution of the population.

It should be noticed that this species should not be kept with large crustaceans or fish, as it would become a prey of choice. Smaller species should preferably be inserted in the aquarium some time before the larger ones. Moreover, if you want to breed it, it is better to put them in a specific aquarium.

Acid Water Maintenance

Apistogramma wapisana living naturally in acidic water, generally in "black" or "sieved" water, the implementation of a filtration on peat is ideal for its balance. Adding decaying leaves and alder fruit can significantly improve living conditions by naturally increasing acidity of some water.

Tips for feeding

Apistogramma wapisana is omnivorous.

This species does not appreciate being fed with freeze-dried food (flakes...). Some specimens will never eat this type of food.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

Reproduction protocol

  • Maintenance difficulty
    very hard
  • egg-laying protection
    Yes

Reproduction of this species in an aquarium is considered very hard. Ideally, it takes place at a temperature of around 26 ° C for a pH of 5.5 .

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

These animals might interest you

To go further

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To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

In collaboration with : Forum Cichlid Normandie

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