2 kinds · tap one for a closer look
More territorial than many apistos; keep a single male with several females.
295 species in our list are a good match.
More territorial than many apistos; keep a single male with several females.
Frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp, small sinking pellets and live baby brine shrimp.
Tap a food to see what it is.
Males are larger, more colourful (red-edged fins) and have longer fins; females are smaller and yellow with black markings when breeding.
Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.
Cave spawner (harem) · Moderate
Harem cave spawner: eggs are attached to the ceiling of a cave and the female cares for eggs and fry.
Keep one male with 2-4 females; each female claims a cave, pot or coconut shell.
A 40 L tank with a sponge or gentle filter, fine sand, many small caves, terracotta pots and leaf litter, with soft, slightly acidic water.
Soft, slightly acidic water, warmer temperatures, frequent water changes and live or frozen foods.
About 60-120 eggs attached to a cave ceiling.
The female guards the wrigglers and then the free-swimming fry; feed microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp from day 4-5.
A Colombian dwarf cichlid from the upper Río Meta, known for the red-edged fins of males. Males reach about 5.5 cm SL, typical for the genus; it is rated Near Threatened.
Swedish ichthyologist Sven Kullander described this species in 1979. It comes from the Meta River region of Colombia. Several colour strains, like 'red mask', are widely bred.
First described by Sven O. Kullander in 1979.
14 facts checked with sources
Valid name. DATZ A120; a similar, possibly conspecific population is coded A122, and A121 is used for the ornamental 'red' form (Seriously Fish). It belongs to the A. macmasteri complex, grouped with the A. hongsloi complex in the A. regani lineage; close relatives (e.g. A. viejita) look similar, so check supplier locality data. No misidentification is discussed in the sources checked.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteri · FishBase: Apistogramma macmasteri summaryLegacy has no family field; sourced value recorded.
FishBase: Apistogramma macmasteri summarySeriously Fish and FishBase: males 5.5 cm SL (standard length); FishBase also lists 7.0 cm TL. Legacy 8 cm exceeds both.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteri · FishBase: Apistogramma macmasteri summarySeriously Fish (preferred for husbandry) 24-28°C; FishBase 23-30°C. Legacy 22-27 starts too cool.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteri · FishBase: Apistogramma macmasteri summarySeriously Fish 5.5-7.0; legacy lower bound 5.0 is slightly below.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteri · FishBase: Apistogramma macmasteri summaryLegacy has no hardness; Seriously Fish range recorded. Needs soft water.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteri · FishBase: Apistogramma macmasteri summarySeriously Fish: 45 x 30 x 30 cm = 40.5 L (~41 L) for a pair. FishBase gives a 60 cm minimum (~54 L at 60 x 30 x 30). Legacy 60 L is more generous, not unsafe.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteriNo minimum number; FishBase recommends a harem of several females per male, consistent with the legacy advice.
FishBase: Apistogramma macmasteri summaryCommunity-suitable per Seriously Fish; no source text rates it more territorial than other apistos (legacy claim) or labels it semi-aggressive.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteriLegacy has no range field (its 'about' text says Colombian, which agrees). IUCN: Near Threatened (assessed 3 August 2020, per FishBase).
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteriLegacy verified in substance.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteriMatches legacy.
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteriLegacy 40-120 overlaps FishBase's 60-120. No hatch time in sources.
FishBase: Apistogramma macmasteri summaryColombian origin verified. The legacy claim that males grow larger than most apistos is not supported: 5.5 cm SL is average or smaller (A. agassizii males reach 7.5 cm SL).
Seriously Fish: Apistogramma macmasteri