Among
the dwarfs this is the smallest: Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis. This
species from Peru is one of the smallest species of cichlid at all. The
maximum size is given in literature with 5 cm (males) and 4 cm
(females). However, this must refer to very old aquarium specimens. Wild
collected ones are mature and fully grown with 3 cm (males) and about
2.5 cm (females). All these sizes are total length (inclusive caudal
fin).
Males
and females look very much alike; males can be always recognized by the
blue spots in the caudal fin, which are lacking in females.
Wild
collected animals almost always have more or less developed black spots
on the body and/or fins. This is completely harmless and can be
compared with freckles in humans. These black spots do not inherit and
can be found in wild collected specimens only. So it is very likely that
they are a skin reaction on a attack of a (unsuccessful) parasite that
does not appear in aquaria. In any case animals with black spots do not
show any difference to animals without black spots in respect of health
and longevity.
For our customers: the fish have code 626712 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
