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My, those are a banana plant and have very large leaves. I can't find anything that mentions toxins but I doubt anyone has reported trying them in an aquarium. I guess the only way to be sure is to try some leaves in a tank with fish - and keep an eye out for adverse reactions.
Paul told me this back in the 1980s. There were no genetics at the time. AFAIK they are isolated populations in separate river systems. No one has really studied them.
According to Loiselle there are 3 species of A. thomasi. The original species in the hobby was from Liberia. The present species is collected in Guinea. The other species from Sierra Leon has never entered the hobby AFAIK.
There are yellow morps of A. borellii although rare in the present hobby. I would guess the first photo shows a female. The second is anyone's guess. In a couple of month you should know.
These are a true blackwater species that in the wild live in extremely soft and acid water. I suggest trying to get your water hardness below 35ppm and pH below 5.5.
Your water values are not optimal for South American nor West African species. They will live in such water but not generally breed in it successfully. They will also be more susceptible to diseases. Your water is better suited for Rift Lake cichlids. You might consider some of the smaller...
Most apistos display pleasing colors if seen in the proper light. I had a community tank that had a less colorful A. bitaeniata in it. In the mornings he would float in a beam of sunlight looking like a multi-jeweled spectacle. Lighting on these fish is the factor.
By definition (Vierke or Loiselle) there are no dwarf cichlids that occur in Central America. Small cichlids, yes, bit none match the size and behavioral definitions of a dwarf cichlid.
To me, they were not especially colorful. That is the reason they are not imported (except as contaminants with other more desirable species). For those who want something unusual, even if not commercially in demand, they are rare in the hobby.
I personally have never seen an apisto that would prey on top-dwelling fish. Bottom dwellers? Yes, but this follows one of my observations: if a fish can fit another in its mouth - it will.
A. eremnopyge are known for being extremely shy. Other than putting them in a dark, highly structured tank with a good number of dither fish, and the surface almost completely covered by floating plants, I cannot think of what you can do.
I've reproduced many species in 10 gallon tanks in the past. I also lost many fish to aggression. Back in the 1980s, when you could buy most apistos for around $2.00, it was not a major financial loss. I've learned from my experience. Now, well, "you pay your money and take your chances".
An interesting feature that I found on A. sp. "Nadelstreifen", which TomC and I collected in the Leticia area in 2008, was the males' threat display pattern. Half of the vertical bars disappear.
The only true species of Apistogrmma (Apistogrammoides pucapalpaensis technically is another genus) that would work for someone with little to no experience with apistos are the truly dwarf species like A. wapisana and A. angayuara. Neither are available at the moment to my knowledge.
I guess the answer is yes and no. Think sneaker male. At the size you list - especially the smaller specimens - they can look like either sex. I personally wait until I see a dominant female who doesn't change and the same for males.