Apistogramma calamar?

[Eddiekay1010]

Hi, I need your help again, a fish has popped up on a list that I've never heard of, Apistogramma 'calamar'? The pictures are not great, bare bottom tank, showing no color. Has anyone heard of this fish, I can't find any info on it, searched the name on this site and on Tom's Apistos, maybe I overlooked it. Supposedly wild from Columbia.

 

[MacZ]

Calamar is a place on the Rio Vaupés in Colombia, so far up river, according to google maps the actual river doesn't even reach it. Not to be confused with a second Colombian city by that name near the pacific coast in the north of the country. There's also a Corydoras sp. "Calamar". So it's after a location.

Calamar, Guaviare - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Frank Hättich]

Given the catch location in the upper Rio Vaupes and the looks of the fish, it's most likey A. sp. D50.

 

[Eddiekay1010]

Thanks, you are all the best, wasn't sure if it was something it like to give a try, now I'll try to get a group

 

[Apistoguy52]

Thanks, you are all the best, wasn't sure if it was something it like to give a try, now I'll try to get a group

Yes! Fantastic fish. Males are quite nice looking once they mature….they are also fantastically sized, 10cm +. By far the largest Apistogramma species I’ve ever kept

 

[anewbie]

Aren't they mouthbrooders ? I wonder - do they require blackwater ?

 

[anewbie]

If you want a price comparison JD is selling them for $75 a pair.

 

[Apistoguy52]

Aren't they mouthbrooders ? I wonder - do they require blackwater ?

They are mouthbrooders.

While they originate from the Vaupes headwaters, they do not come from blackwater. “Whitewater” chemistry for the win.

 

[anewbie]

They are mouthbrooders.

While they originate from the Vaupes headwaters, they do not come from blackwater. “Whitewater” chemistry for the win.

Interesting. Tom's website suggested low ph around 4-6 for them so i just assumed blackwater.

 

[Apistoguy52]

Interesting. Tom's website suggested low ph around 4-6 for them so i just assumed blackwater.

As did I. After the 2nd or 3rd failed spawn, I reached out to Daniel, and he said something to the effect of “higher mineral content”. I failed a few more times rearing the fry, but finally found success at 125ppm tds/pH 6.9

 

[anewbie]

As did I. After the 2nd or 3rd failed spawn, I reached out to Daniel, and he said something to the effect of “higher mineral content”. I failed a few more times rearing the fry, but finally found success at 125ppm tds/pH 6.9

That is super useful info - my tap is around those parameters.

 

[Apistoguy52]

That is super useful info - my tap is around those parameters.

Careful with that info. Everyone with google who hasn’t kept that fish will tell you you’re fruit loops “because the Vaupes is a blackwater river”…lol

 

[Eddiekay1010]

The handful Apistogramma species that use mouthbrooding, are they true mouth brooders like some Geophagus or the Haplochromines or are they larvophiles?
I never keep any yet, but I really want to!

 

[Apistoguy52]

I’ve not kept the others….the D50 are larvophiles….sometimes….my females were content to leave the wigglers when there was no threat

 

[Frank Hättich]

D50 female keeping larvae in her mouth:

 

[Eddiekay1010]

D50 female keeping larvae in her mouth:

View attachment 12483

Very cool, great picture!

 

[Eddiekay1010]

Hi, just wanted to follow up on this species, here are some adult pics of the male and female, does the original ID still stand? The 3 pics are of the same male, sometimes he's very orange in the face and caudal base.

 

[Frank Hättich]

does the original ID still stand?

Yes.

 

[Tom C]

I failed a few more times rearing the fry, but finally found success at 125ppm tds/pH 6.9

In one of my tanks they bred successfully in blackwater with pH 4.5-4.8 and conductivity approx. 70 microS/cm.

 

[Eddiekay1010]

Yes.

Thank you