Apistogramma luelingi

[Microlepomis]

I'm thinking about getting some A luelingi. I've heard they need a wintering period. Anybody have any experience with these? Has anybody else heard that about them?

 

[Mike Wise]

A. luelingi is one of the apistos that can handle cooler temperatures. They do not need a wintering period like Gymnophagus spp. Besides, most of the A. luelingi that occur in the hobby come from the Río Madre de Dio around Puerto Maldonado, Peru. This area has a tropical climate.

 

[Microlepomis]

Thanks! I've always heard that about borelli and trifasciata as well, but I assumed it was irrelevant for tank strains. After multiple generations of artificial rearing in temperatures controlled by a thermostat, that must diminish to some degree. And besides that, aren't collectors unlikely to go the very edge of some species' range just to be able to collect the ones from fifty-five degree water when they can collect closer to home? I know the borelli from Uruguay come from water that almost freezes, but is anybody maintaining those collection locations? And even then, is the ability to withstand low temperatures the same as needing them?

 

[Mike Wise]

I know people who collected A. borellii & A. commbrae in Uruguay (no A. trifasciata collected in Uruguay yet). They maintain & breed them just like specimens from Paraguay and Bolivia without any wintering period, so I guess it isn't important for these species.

 

[Microlepomis]

That's what I thought. Thanks for the info!