From the world of Apistogramma nijsseni: New species and unexpected coexistence in the aquarium

News in the Apistogramma nijsseni complex: Discoveries from Rio Cenepa after the fighting subsided

In recent years, in the complex Apistogramma nijsseni things happen. As I mentioned regarding the newly discovered Nannostomus, which also come from northern Peru from the border area of Peru/Ecuador, around 2021, tourists began to arrive here as soon as the fighting subsided (there are oil deposits in the upper reaches of the Pastaza and Morona rivers). And here is one of the upper tributaries of the Amazon, which flows into the Rio Maranon (or as it is also referred to, the Rio Morona). The Rio Cenepa is a small river that originates on the eastern slope of the Cordillera del Cóndor. Many new species of cichlids were also brought from there, including those that are referred to as Apistogramma cenepa I or Apistogramma cenepa II, elsewhere (especially in Japan, Taiwan, and China) these fish are referred to as Apistogramma ladislao. There are now known 4 types of them!I have already had the opportunity to acquire some of these novelties.

From invisibility to a new pair

In the 40-liter aquarium richly overgrown with plants, where I usually have small fish, I originally introduced a pair. Apistogramma cenepa II or also Apistogramma Ladislao I. A few months passed, and I didn't even know about the fish.

After a while, believing that only the young are swimming there nowNannostomus trifasciatusI let a young couple in there. Apistogramma nijsseni The female was in good spirits, and I was looking forward to their spawning. However, what happened the next day surprised me. The female was in breeding coloration and the male was pressing between the aquarium wall and the sponge filter. I know this image from situations where there is a dominant and submissive male in the aquarium. After a longer search, I finally found out that the dominant male is (according to my poor estimate) the already "disappeared" male.Apistogramma cenepa II.

Apistogramma nijsseni takes control: From clutch to young

However, I practically didn't know about it in the further course. The aquarium, or rather its left half, was dominated by a female.Apistogramma nijsseni, which at first carefully took care of the clutch hidden in a ceramic tube, eventually raised 8 young from it. In the right half, the mentioned small-mouthed fish were swimming. These two species usually get along quite well, and thus with good feeding, they also thrive properly.

Warning about crossing: Complex Apistogramma nijssenias an example

Interbreeding of species is a common phenomenon among vertebrates, especially in fish. In the first filial generation of hybrids (F1 hybrids), faster growth, longer survival, and higher tolerance to environmental conditions or resistance to parasites are often observed compared to the parent species. I am not an advocate of interspecies hybridization. This frequent interspecific hybridization has been known for years, for example, in the genusHypancistrus, when it is recommended to keep only one species of this genus in one tank. But even with Apistogramma nijsseni the complex should not behave more species together. Otherwise, we will witness a number of possibly interesting hybrids!

Photos:

1. 40-liter aquarium, where several young fish live alongside cichlids and small fish Hyphessobrycon saizi.
2. Male Apistogramma sp. ladislao I.
3. The threatening posture and coloration of the female clearly indicate where the boundaries of the territory are.
4. The female carefully takes care of the young.