Gill Spot Apistogramma - Apistogramma sp. D37

The Gill Spot Apistogramma (D37) is a rare and visually striking dwarf cichlid, named for the distinctive dark marking located near the gill plate. Its body displays a mix of soft yellows, blues, and subtle patterning, with males often showing more intense coloration and finnage. This species brings both beauty and personality to smaller, well-planned aquariums.

Like many Apistogramma, they are intelligent and exhibit fascinating behavior, especially when kept in breeding setups. They tend to stay near the bottom and mid-levels, interacting with their environment and establishing small territories.

Care Requirements:
A minimum tank size of 15–20 gallons is suitable for a pair or trio, with larger tanks recommended for community setups. They thrive in warm, soft, slightly acidic water with stable parameters. A natural setup with sand substrate, driftwood, botanicals, leaf litter, and caves is ideal, providing both cover and territory. Gentle filtration and subdued lighting help replicate their natural environment.

• Temperature: 75–82°F
• pH: 5.5–7.0

Consistency is key, as they can be sensitive to poor water quality and sudden changes.

Diet:
Gill Spot Apistogramma are carnivorous and do best on a varied, protein-rich diet. Offer high-quality micro pellets along with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. A varied diet helps maintain coloration and encourages natural behavior.

Tankmates:
They are generally peaceful but can become territorial, especially during breeding. Suitable tankmates include small, calm schooling fish such as tetras and rasboras, as well as peaceful bottom dwellers like Corydoras (with enough space). Avoid aggressive fish or overly active species that may stress them.

They can be kept as pairs or in harems (one male with multiple females) in appropriately sized tanks with plenty of structure.