Apistogramma is a large genus of freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae native to South America, but also commonly kept in aquariums. They are dwarf cichlids that mostly feed on tiny animals and have breeding behaviors that vary depending on the exact species.

Range, conservation status and habitat

Apistogramma are exclusively found in tropical and subtropical South America in the lowlands east of the Andes. The highest richness is in the western Amazon Basin and Orinoco Basin, but there are also species in the Guianan Shield, eastern Amazon Basin, rivers flowing into the Atlantic in northern Brazil (Tocantins–Araguaia to Parnaíba) and the Río de la Plata Basin. Although a few species are widespread, most members of this genus have small ranges. Few members of the genus have been evaluated by the IUCN, mostly either ranking as least concern (not threatened) or data deficient (limited available data prevents an evaluation), but some of the highly localized Apistogramma species likely are threatened. Primary threats to their survival are deforestation (causing changes in their microhabitat) and pollution (for example by oil drilling or mining).

Appearance

Apistogramma are dwarf cichlids with adults reaching between in standard length depending on species. Additionally, they often change color depending on behavior, for example when looking for food, breeding or during aggressive encounters. A few species, including A. agassizii, A. cacatuoides, A hongsloi and A. macmasteri, have been selectively bred by aquarists to achieve brighter colors than the natural, wild forms.

Behavior

Apistogramma are omnivores, but tending towards micropredatory. Their main food items consist of aquatic insect larvae and other small invertebrates, fish fry, algae and plant debris. In most cases, regardless of the breeding strategy, the female is more highly involved with care of the eggs and fry, whilst the male defends a territory from predators.

Taxonomy and species

thumb|[[Apistogramma agassizii, male]]

thumb|[[Apistogramma allpahuayo, male]]

thumb|[[Apistogramma borellii, pair]]

thumb|[[Apistogramma erythrura, male]]

thumb|[[Apistogramma nijsseni, female and male]]

thumb|[[Apistogramma trifasciata, male]]

Apistogramma is part of Geophagini and its closest relatives are Apistogrammoides and Taeniacara. There are currently 93 recognized Apistogramma species, making it the most species-rich genus of cichlid in the Americas, together with Crenicichla. Several of the recognized species occur in more than one form,

  • Apistogramma alacrina <small>S. O. Kullander, 2004</small>
  • Apistogramma allpahuayo <small>Römer et. al, 2012</small>
  • Apistogramma amoena <small>(Cope, 1872)</small>
  • Apistogramma angayuara <small>S. O. Kullander & E. F. G. Ferreira, 2005</small>
  • Apistogramma arua <small>Römer & Warzel, 1998</small>
  • Apistogramma atahualpa <small>Römer, 1997</small>
  • Apistogramma baenschi <small>Römer, Hahn, Römer, Soares & Wöhler, 2004</small>
  • Apistogramma barlowi <small>Römer & Hahn, 2008</small>
  • Apistogramma bitaeniata <small>Pellegrin, 1936</small>
  • Apistogramma borellii <small>(Regan, 1906)</small>
  • Apistogramma brevis <small>S. O. Kullander, 1980</small>
  • Apistogramma cacatuoides <small>Hoedeman, 1951</small>
  • Apistogramma caetei <small>S. O. Kullander, 1980</small>
  • Apistogramma caudomaculata <small>Mesa_Salazar & Lasso, 2011</small>
  • Apistogramma cinilabra <small>Römer et. al, 2011</small>
  • Apistogramma elizabethae <small>S. O. Kullander, 1980</small>
  • Apistogramma eremnopyge <small>Ready & S. O. Kullander, 2004</small>
  • Apistogramma erythrura <small>Staeck & I. Schindler, 2008</small>
  • Apistogramma eunotus <small>S. O. Kullander, 1981</small>
  • Apistogramma feconat <small>Römer et. al, 2015</small>
  • Apistogramma hippolytae <small>S. O. Kullander, 1982</small>
  • Apistogramma hoignei <small>Meinken, 1965</small>
  • Apistogramma hongsloi <small>S. O. Kullander, 1979</small>
  • Apistogramma huascar <small>Römer, Pretor & Hahn, 2006</small>
  • Apistogramma inconspicua <small>S. O. Kullander, 1983</small>
  • Apistogramma iniridae <small>S. O. Kullander, 1979</small>
  • Apistogramma inornata <small>Staeck, 2003</small>
  • Apistogramma intermedia <small>Mesa-Salazar & Lasso, 2011</small>
  • Apistogramma lineata <small>Mesa-Salazar & Lasso, 2011</small>
  • Apistogramma megastoma <small>Römer et. al, 2017</small>
  • Apistogramma ortmanni <small>(C. H. Eigenmann, 1912)</small>
  • Apistogramma panduro <small>U. Römer, 1997</small>
  • Apistogramma pantalone <small>Römer, Römer, Soares & Hahn, 2006</small>
  • Apistogramma paucisquamis <small>S. O. Kullander & Staeck, 1988</small>
  • Apistogramma paulmuelleri <small>Römer et. al, 2013</small>
  • Apistogramma payaminonis <small>S. O. Kullander, 1986</small>
  • Apistogramma pleurotaenia <small>(Regan, 1909)</small>
  • Apistogramma psammophila <small>Staeck & Schindler, 2019</small>
  • Apistogramma staecki <small>Koslowski, 1985</small>
  • Apistogramma steindachneri <small>(Regan, 1908)</small>
  • Apistogramma taeniata <small>(Günther, 1862)</small>
  • Apistogramma trifasciata <small>(C. H. Eigenmann & C. H. Kennedy, 1903)</small>
  • Apistogramma tucurui <small>Staeck, 2003</small>
  • Apistogramma uaupesi <small>S. O. Kullander, 1980</small>
  • Apistogramma urteagai <small>S. O. Kullander, 1986</small>
  • Apistogramma velifera <small>Staeck, 2003</small>
  • Apistogramma viejita <small>S. O. Kullander, 1979</small>
  • Apistogramma wapisana <small>U. Römer, Hahn & Conrad, 2006</small>
  • Apistogramma wolli <small>Römer et. al, 2015</small>