Panduro Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma panduro)

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to northern Peru (Rio Ucayali and Rio Tahuayo system). Akin to the Nijsseni group, it inhabits the same tangle of submerged branches in still, amber "Blackwater" with a very low pH.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Panduro Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma panduro / ex-pandurini). Named after the Peruvian Panduro family who first exported it. Dwarf cichlid with an unusually high and massive body with a stocky caudal peduncle.

Social Behavior: Forms incredibly monogamous pairs (a rarity for the Apistogramma genus). Strongly aggressive and intolerant: once the pair is formed, they will ruthlessly kill any conspecific or other Cichlid in the same aquarium.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Cerulean-blue or yellowish males with a characteristic orange/red "patch" at the base of the fan tail. Bright yellow females with large and obvious black patches on the belly and cheek, without the caudal spot of the Nijsseni group.

Aquarium Setup: Single species or pair tank of 60-80 cm (24-32 inches). Mandatory many complete visual shelters (large woods and coconuts) so that the male does not harass the female if the latter is not ready for reproduction. Sand bottom.

Diet and Feeding: Hunter of tiny crustaceans and larvae in the leaf litter. To be fed constantly with high quality live or frozen food (brine shrimp, white bloodworms, grindal, daphnia). Tends to refuse purely vegetable foods or hard flakes.

Water Quality: Requires cold waters for the Amazon basin (22-26°C / 72-79°F), soft (GH < 5) and distinctly acidic (pH 5.0-6.5). Temperatures consistently above 28°C (82°F) lead to very rapid aging and premature death.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Cohabits well only with small surface "Dither fish" (Hatchetfish or Nannostomus Tetras) that do not compete for caves. A lethal mistake is insertion with Corydoras: the pair will disembowel them during the spawning period.

Aquarium Reproduction: Once the pair is firm, they spawn in inaccessible ravines. The female guards the eggs and fry becoming "a demon" towards the male. Both parents guide the school of young, communicating with flicks of the pelvic fins.

Risks and Diseases: They arouse enormous interest but are "devourers" of novices: pH variations, hard water or thermal shocks instantaneously trigger dropsy and fin rot. Impossible to forcefully make them change partners.