Care of an Apistogramma Fry

Apistogramma is a genus of freshwater fish that contains about 50 species of dwarf cichlid fish. These fish are as brightly colored and patterned, and have personalities as large, as their larger cousin cichlids. Because of their size, though, these fish don't require nearly as much space as other cichlids. Apistogrammas can be finicky and difficult to take care of, even when they are adults. Caring for the fry, or young, of these fish can present quite a challenge.

Things You'll Need

  • Water testing kit
  • Infusoria
  • Daphnia, newly hatched brine shrimp or microworms
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Instructions

    • 1

      Leave the fry with the mother fish. Most apistogramma species guard their eggs and young. They will care for them for several weeks after they are free swimming. In this case, it's often best to let nature do the work for you. Remove the fry from the breeding aquarium only if other aggressive fish are present, if they parent fish become aggressive or if the breed of apistogramma you're raising needs very specific care that may be difficult to administer in a community aquarium.

    • 2

      Keep the water levels and temperature balanced. Apistogramma are very susceptible to changes in pH or temperature. These changes can kill the fry. Use a water testing kit to monitor the pH level, and use water additives if necessary to raise or lower it. Each apistogramma species requires a slightly different pH, but most species do well when the level is between 5.5 and 6.8. Keep the temperature of the water between 75 and 84 degrees. Use an aquarium heater if necessary. Again, exact water temperature depends on the fish species, so research the particular species you're raising.

    • 3

      Feed the apistogramma fry very small foods. These fish are extremely tiny when they hatch and cannot eat large meals as adult fish can. Providing tiny foods such as infusoria, which are microscopic organisms, can keep the fry alive for the first few weeks as they grow. Infusoria can be bought from other aquarists, found in natural settings such as ponds or grown. Some aquarium plants, such as java moss, usually have infusoria growing on them, and placing them with the fry will provide food.

    • 4

      Begin feeding the fry slightly larger foods, such as daphnia, which are tiny crustaceans. Newly hatched brine shrimp and microworms can also be given. Allow the fry time to find the food and eat their fill before cleaning away waste. As the fry get larger, give slightly larger foods, until you can feed the bloodworms, adult brine shrimp or flake foods that the adult apistogramma eat.