Fire-tail dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma eremnopyge

Also known as Eremnopyge apisto

FreshwaterFish

Fire-tail dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma eremnopyge) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH: 5.0–6.8
Adult size: 1.8 in (4.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 16 gal (60 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Rio Pintuyacu, a tributary of the Rio Itaya, Loreto, Peru
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

A pair suits 60 liters with heavy cover; this is a shy species that needs the security of litter and shade before it shows color. Offer small live and frozen foods, then wean onto fine sinking granules. Choose the calmest possible tankmates or none. Spawning happens in tight cavities in the litter, and soft, warm, clean water is the difference between eggs that develop and eggs that fungus.

In the wild

Known from the Rio Pintuyacu in the Itaya drainage of northern Peru, this apisto lives in shaded forest streams thick with leaf litter. It spends its day picking through the litter layer for food. A sand bottom buried under leaves, a few small caves, dim light, and soft water at 23 to 27 degrees Celsius with pH 5.0 to 6.8 make it feel at home.

Good to know

Described by Ready and Kullander in 2004, Apistogramma eremnopyge is a small species around 4.5 centimeters. The species name roughly means dark rump, for the bold black blotch males wear at the tail base below a band of red. Males layer red facial striping over metallic blue cheeks, which makes a mature fish look painted.

Did you know

Males carry a red-over-black flag on the tail base that flares during displays, which is why importers call it the fire-tail apisto.

Tank mates

Fire-tail dwarf cichlid is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.