In the 1980s, anyone interested in the dwarf cichlids of the genus Apistogramma did not need to know more than 10 species. Today (2025), this genus is the most species-rich cichlid genus of all, with 94 accepted species plus numerous species that have not yet been scientifically recorded. The majority of the newly discovered species can be traced back to the aquarium hobby. The increased interest of aquarists in the 1990s created an incentive for catchers and exporters to look for interesting fish outside the beaten track. But sometimes it was and still is the other way around. This means that Apistogramma were collected and preserved on scientific expeditions and later identified and described as new species in the museum. In these cases, the appearance of the living animals is often not known at all or only insufficiently. Aquarists then set off with a thirst for research to the regions where the description was made in order to close this knowledge gap.
This was also the case with the species Apistogramma salpinction described by Kullander & Ferreira in 2005 from the area of the Rio Trombetas, state of Pará, Brazil. The preserved animals look quite unspectacular. The clear underbelly stripes and the somewhat bulky physique are reminiscent of A. cacatuoides. However, the unique pattern on the caudal peduncle within the genus Apistogramma is a good diagnostic feature. The type locality of this Apistogramma is a large swamp with a muddy bottom and very shallow water, which was often only about 5 cm deep at the time of collection. There are certainly periods of high water in the region when the water is deeper, but A. salpinction is obviously not a running water form.
This probably also explains why this fish has so far escaped the attention of ornamental fish catchers. Nobody likes to fish in such biotopes and apart from Hoplosternum-like catfish and other mud-loving fish, there are usually no attractive ornamental fish there. One German aquarist was not left in peace; he was actually able to track down some specimens and bring them back to Germany in good health. A pair of these went to one of our breeders, where they proved to be easy to keep and breed (pH around 6, 26°C). We can now offer the very first offspring of this novelty.
Admittedly, the color of A. salpinction is not a big hit. We assume that adult males will develop even more intense orange tones in the throat and belly area. In the original scientific description it is stated that adult males like A. cacatuoides develop extended dorsal fin lappets and clearly tipped caudal fins. Even the largest males that we can currently offer (approx. 2 cm without caudal fin) only show a hint of this. Interesting, however, is the horizontal striping in the caudal fin of the largest males and of course the unusual caudal root spot with a light center.
All in all, it’s nice that another blank spot on the map of Apistogramma knowledge can be filled with color!
For our customers: the animals have code 628352 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
