Lyretail Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma uaupesi
Native to the Rio Uaupés basin and the upper Rio Negro in Brazil and Colombia. It is found in extreme blackwater habitats with slow-moving current and.
Temperatura da água
24 - 30 °C
Valor de pH
4 - 6
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
6,5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 70 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 2
GH
1 - 5 dGH
KH
0 - 2 dKH
TDS
15 - 95 ppm
Condutividade
23 - 148 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the Rio Uaupés basin and the upper Rio Negro in Brazil and Colombia. It is found in extreme blackwater habitats with slow-moving current and high acidity caused by decomposing leaves.
Taxonomy and Morphology: A cichlid species. Males are distinguished by their highly developed, lyre-shaped caudal fin and extended dorsal fin membranes. Males grow up to 6.5 cm in length.
Social Behavior: Territorially aggressive and sensitive. Males will fight for dominance. Best housed as a compatible pair or in a harem with one male and multiple females in a well-decorated tank.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males display beautiful red and blue colors in their lyre tail and iridescence on the body. Females are smaller, with rounded tails, turning bright yellow when breeding.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Minimum tank volume is 70 liters. Provide a soft sand bed, plenty of roots, and dried leaves to release tannins. Provide shaded areas to mimic natural environments.
Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous. Feeds almost exclusively on live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Dry foods are rarely accepted.
Water Quality: Highly demanding. Requires very acidic (pH 4.0-6.0) and soft water (GH 1-5 dGH, KH 0-2 dGH). Keep temperature stable at 24-30°C. Reverse osmosis water filtered through peat is recommended.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Keep with quiet dither fish such as pencilfish (Nannostomus) or small peaceful tetras. Do not house with other territorial bottom dwellers.
Aquarium Breeding: Cave spawner. Spawning requires extremely low pH (below 5.0) to prevent egg fungus. The female manages the nest and guards the fry.
Risks and Diseases: Very sensitive to nitrates, phosphates, and bacterial counts. Peat filtration and strict water maintenance are necessary to prevent diseases.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Native to the Rio Uaupés basin and the upper Rio Negro in Brazil and Colombia. It is found in extreme blackwater habitats with slow-moving current and high acidity caused by decomposing leaves.
Origem
Amazônia, Orinoco e GuianasAmérica do Norte
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Territorial
- Overall, they exhibit a peaceful demeanor towards other species, but they are known to be territorial among their own kind. During the breeding season, both sexes become fiercely protective of their spawning sites and fry, potentially showing aggression to any intruders. Outside of breeding, they are somewhat shy and require a complex environment with plenty of hiding spaces to feel secure. Creating distinct visual barriers helps manage their territorial nature.
- Dieta
- Carnivore
- In their natural habitat, they are micro-predators that sift through the substrate for small invertebrates, insect larvae, and zooplankton. In captivity, they should be offered a varied and high-quality diet consisting of sinking micro-pellets and flakes. Supplementing their diet regularly with live or frozen foods like daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms will promote optimal health and vibrant coloration. Variety is key to preventing nutritional deficiencies.
- Expectativa de vida
- 2-4 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 6.5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Harem
- In a suitably sized aquarium, they are best maintained in a harem configuration consisting of one dominant male and several females. If the tank is on the smaller side, maintaining a single compatible pair is the safest approach to minimize intraspecific aggression. Keeping multiple males usually requires a very large footprint with complex hardscape to break lines of sight and establish distinct territories. Proper sex ratios are vital for a peaceful tank.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- It is highly recommended to feed them small portions once or twice daily to maintain their metabolism and overall well-being. Care must be taken to only offer an amount they can completely consume within a couple of minutes to avoid fouling the water. Overfeeding is a common mistake that can lead to severe water quality issues. Fasting the fish for one day per week can also help clear their digestive tract.
- Carga biológica
- Low to Medium
- This species has a relatively low bioload compared to larger cichlids, making it suitable for appropriately sized setups. However, they are highly sensitive to deteriorating water conditions and elevated nitrates. Maintaining pristine water quality through adequate filtration and regular water changes is absolutely crucial for their long-term health. A heavily planted tank can also help absorb excess nutrients and keep the environment stable.
- Fluxo
- Strong
- Originating from slow-moving streams, backwaters, and sluggish tributaries, they strongly prefer gentle water flow in the aquarium. Strong currents will cause them undue stress and force them to expend unnecessary energy just to maintain their position. Filtration should be baffled if necessary to provide a calm environment, particularly near the substrate where they spend most of their time. Mimicking this natural calm flow is essential for their comfort.
- Risco de salto
- No
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- They are typical cave spawners, utilizing secluded crevices, leaf litter, or natural hollows to lay their eggs. The female assumes the primary responsibility of guarding the eggs and the subsequent fry, often becoming highly reclusive. The male's role involves defending a larger peripheral territory against any perceived threats. Providing plenty of hiding spots like coconut caves, PVC pipes, and dense vegetation is critical for successful breeding.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Species only
- They are best kept in a species-specific aquarium or a peaceful community tank with small, non-aggressive dither fish like tetras or rasboras. Fast-swimming or boisterous tank mates should be avoided as they will easily outcompete this species for food and induce stress. Bottom-dwelling species such as Corydoras might face territorial disputes, especially if breeding behaviors commence. Careful selection of tank mates is necessary to ensure a harmonious environment.
- Nível do tanque
- Bottom
- These fish primarily inhabit the lower third of the water column, spending the vast majority of their day navigating the substrate. They are often seen foraging among leaf litter, driftwood, and plant roots in search of food. They rarely venture into the upper levels of the aquarium unless enticed by feeding or if they lack sufficient cover below. A well-structured bottom layout is highly appreciated.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,3 ± 0,4 se
- Resiliência
- Média (1,4 - 4,4 anos)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.0182, b = 2.99
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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