Kingdom Animalia Subfamily Geophaginae Scientific name Apistogramma hongsloi Higher classification Apistogramma Order Perciformes | Family Cichlidae Genus Apistogramma Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Apistogramma, Cichlid, Apistogramma macmasteri, Apistogramma borellii, Apistogramma agassizii | ||
Awesome beginner fish apistogramma hongsloi
Apistogramma hongsloi is a species of South American cichlid fish. Many aquarists keep them for breeding or as good pets. They prefer to have soft and acidic water.
Contents
Apistogramma hongsloi
Characteristics
One of the more colorful Apistogramma species in some of its color forms. The male has brighter colors than the female.
Range and habitat
The cockatoo dwarf cichlid is found in South America: Orinoco River basin, in the Vichada River drainage and the middle Meta River drainage in Colombia, and along the middle Orinoco River
Breeding
Before spawning, the female will turn bright yellow. The female places her eggs inside the roof of a cavity or underneath a leaf. She can lay 50-100 eggs at one time. She takes care of the eggs and alone, while the male guards the territory. The female gets very aggressive and will chase the male. The eggs are salmon colored. Usually when they spawn for the first time, the female will get scared and eat her eggs. When the eggs hatch, the fry stay at the bottom and absorb the last of the egg before they become free swimming. When they become free swimming, they will feed off of dead plants and other micro organisms. The female is able to raise all of the fry herself.
Aquaristics
Apistogramma hongsloi likes more acidic softer water. They do well in planted tanks with leaf litter and/or driftwood which release tannins which lower the ph of the water. The Hongsloi also will sometimes lay eggs on the bottom of the leaves.
