Our Guide To Keeping Apistogramma sp. 'Abacaxis' Fish

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Apistogramma sp. 'Abacaxis'
   • Common name: Abacaxis Dwarf Cichlid
   • Family: Cichlidae
   • Origin: Abacaxis River Basin, Brazil, South America
   • Adult length: 5 to 6 cm
   • Lifespan: 3 to 5 years

2. Tank Setup:

   • Apistogramma 'Abacaxis' prefer a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding places using driftwood, caves, and leaf litter. A minimum tank size of 40L is recommended for a pair.
   • Provide soft, sandy substrate to mimic their natural environment, along with areas of dim lighting to make them feel secure.

3. Water Parameters:

   • They thrive in slightly acidic water conditions with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5.
   • Keep the water temperature between 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F).

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • Apistogramma 'Abacaxis' prefer gentle water flow. A sponge filter or a filter set to a low flow is ideal for their habitat.

5. Diet:

   • They are omnivores but thrive on a diet of live or frozen foods. Offer them bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and high-quality micropellets.
   • Supplement with vegetable matter, such as spirulina-based foods, to ensure a balanced diet.

6. Tank mates:

   • Apistogramma 'Abacaxis' are generally peaceful but can be territorial during breeding. They do well with other small, peaceful species such as tetras, rasboras, and Corydoras catfish.
   • Avoid housing them with larger, aggressive fish that may stress or harass them.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • They are peaceful but display territorial behavior when breeding, especially males. Provide enough hiding spaces to minimize aggression.
   • Keep them in pairs or small harems with one male and multiple females to reduce territorial disputes.