Two-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Widely distributed in the upper Amazon basin (Peru, Colombia, Brazil). Lives almost exclusively in the shallow, calm and dark (Blackwater) margins of forest oxbow lakes clogged with roots and thick layers of leaf litter.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Two-stripe Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma bitaeniata). Thin, low and notably elongated silhouette. The male is distinguished by the extended and pointed prolongations of the very first rays of the dorsal fin and a distinctly "lyre" shaped tail.

Social Behavior: Strongly polygamous. The male guards a boundless space, hosting inside it several females in respective sub-territories. In limited tanks it is less bellicose than other apistogramma, but is prone to stress if intimidated.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The male livery (in natural morphs) veers between bright orange, blue and purple, cut by TWO marked and distinctive longitudinal black lines ("bi-taeniata"). The female sports short fins and, under stress or brooding, wears a blinding ocher-yellow dress.

Aquarium Setup: 100 cm (40 inches) tank essential to guarantee a peaceful harem. Amber water through alder cones and peat. Very soft light to simulate the shadows of the jungle, abundance of blind coconut crevices and sandy bottom.

Diet and Feeding: Leaf-litter micro-predator. Tirelessly nibbles the resident microfauna in the decaying leaves. Base tank diet of invertebrates: live daphnia, brine shrimp, moina and red bloodworms. Purely dry diets are to be strictly avoided.

Water Quality: Absolutely uncompromising. Survives decently only in soft (GH 1-5) and distinctly acidic (pH 5.0-6.0) waters. A minimal accumulation of nitrogenous residues rapidly inhibits the immune system, leading to gill ulcerations.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Needs companions swimming in mid-water or surface, of small size, to give it courage (Carnegiella, Nannostomus). The insertion with robust dwarf cichlids like the Ramirezi would relegate them perennially in a dark corner.

Aquarium Reproduction: Complicated. Occurs exclusively in very acidic water hyper-filtered over peat. The female attaches 40-60 upside-down eggs to the roofs of caves; the fry, tiny at birth, require live infusoria or Paramecia for the first 4 days, ignoring brine shrimp nauplii.

Risks and Diseases: Intolerant to alkaline and chlorinated waters: the kidneys collapse in a few weeks in hard tap water (dropsy). The offspring born in waters with pH above 6.5 is formed almost entirely of sterile males.