Apistogramma paucisquamis

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Typical of the hydrographic basins of the Rio Negro and Rio Japurá in Brazil. It is an obligate inhabitant of extreme "Blackwater" systems, living in flood pools with bottoms of dry leaves and a high presence of decaying branches.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Paucisquamis Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma paucisquamis). Owes its name to the peculiar lack (pauci) of scales (squamis) on the cheek, which differentiates it from most members of the family. Particularly thin body.

Social Behavior: Moderately territorial but extremely shy in overcrowded or bright tanks. The male holds the harem if he has a meter of shoreline for himself. Females intolerant of each other if their respective dens are in the line of sight.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Notable polymorphism. Males feature two distinct dark lateral stripes, orange ventral shades and a round caudal fin with a finely "reticulated" pattern. Females are small, and flaunt a canary yellow/ocher color during reproduction.

Aquarium Setup: Specialized tank (Blackwater Biotope). A lot of peat in the filter, very low lights shielded by Pistia or Limnobium. A litter of dead leaves (catappa, oak) is essential to develop the micro-fauna they feed on and to simulate their natural refuge.

Diet and Feeding: Hunter of benthic micro-invertebrates. Often refuse dry commercial preparations. Daily administration of live or frozen brine shrimp nauplii, microworms and moina is required.

Water Quality: Very delicate. Needs very acidic water (pH < 5.5) and practically devoid of carbonate and general hardness (KH 0, GH 1). An accumulation of nitrogenous pollutants leads to death from septicemia in 48 hours.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Must be kept alone or, at most, with a tiny school of Paracheirodon innesi (Neon tetras) or Nannostomus, which encourage the fish to come out into the open. Never associate it with other cichlids, even of the same size.

Aquarium Reproduction: Complicated. Hatching occurs only at pH below 5.0. The eggs (laid on leaves or in tiny cavities) are cared for only by the female, while the male patrols the borders. Larvae highly sensitive to bacteria.

Risks and Diseases: Vulnerable species (Experts Only). Its gill mucosa is irremediably "burned" by tap water (chlorine or neutral/basic pH), causing suffocation due to excess secretion of protective mucus.