Water conditions/temperature preferences for various species of Apistogramma?

[StillLearningApistos]

So, this is a very broad question and one that I'm sure someone will give me grief for even asking...but...

I ran across the map for type localities of various Apistogramma species (I think someone in here steered me toward it a while back, but can't be sure). Anyway, I recently ran across a thread on a different forum where a guy was talking about how you could tell the temperature preferences for certain species based on the distribution of/collection localities of that given species. This makes sense, biologically/ecologically, as fish found in different environments/microenvironments will prefer different temperatures (thinking of different darter species here in the eastern US). I also know that the Amazon and associated drainages is a huge area. So my question is, does anyone in here know if that information is available in an easy to find location, in one place? Or would it just require research into each individual location/species to find out?

I also know that most seem to be pretty happy with temperatures in the range of roughly 73-76 or 78 Fahrenheit (22-25 Celsius, roughly), but to those that have bred significantly more Apistogramma than I have, is it as important to keep those that live in cooler environments at a lower temperature and those that live in warmer environments at a warmer temperature to get the best breeding results? Or is it possible that I'm thinking about this factor way too much? I know that some sex ratios are temperature dependent, but that aside, I'm curious about just breeding/survival.

I feel like most breeders I hear from say that they just generally keep they're tanks at 76 or 78 (24-25 Celsius, roughly) constantly, but in some areas, there are temperatures swings and some species live in temperatures lower than this in the wild.

Looking for information/responses from those of you that have bred a lot of different Apistogramma species here. Your help/advice/information is greatly appreciated!

Again, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can, and sometimes I go down paths that ask these sort of random questions. Apologies!

 

[Mike Wise]

See: U. Römer, W. Beisenherz. 1996. Environmental determination of sex in Apistogrammai (Cichlidae) and two other freshwater fishes (Teleostei). J. Fish Biol. 48(4): 714-725.

Also note that water temps vary with depth and overhead cover. Römer found that the more dominant females seek out optimal breeding temperatures and force subdominant females into cooler or warmer temperatures.

 

[StillLearningApistos]

See: U. Römer, W. Beisenherz. 1996. Environmental determination of sex in Apistogrammai (Cichlidae) and two other freshwater fishes (Teleostei). J. Fish Biol. 48(4): 714-725.

Also note that water temps vary with depth and overhead cover. Römer found that the more dominant females seek out optimal breeding temperatures and force subdominant females into cooler or warmer temperatures.

Interesting...I haven't read this yet, but based on this statement, it does seem that maybe I should try and better match the temperatures from which particular species come!

Thank you for replying!

 

[MacZ]

Water values South America (Map pH) - Southamerica fans

To explain the markings on the map The color scale is based on the droplet tests for pH: red: appr. 4 to 5,5 yellow: appr. 6,0 three green: 6,5 7,0 and 7,5 blue appr. 8 to 9,5. Gray points stand for measurements without pH. For measurements where the exact location is known, the GPS data was

www.suedamerikafans.de

Knock yourself out.

 

[StillLearningApistos]

Water values South America (Map pH) - Southamerica fans

To explain the markings on the map The color scale is based on the droplet tests for pH: red: appr. 4 to 5,5 yellow: appr. 6,0 three green: 6,5 7,0 and 7,5 blue appr. 8 to 9,5. Gray points stand for measurements without pH. For measurements where the exact location is known, the GPS data was

www.suedamerikafans.de

Knock yourself out.

Badass!!! Thanks! This is helpful! I was able to find some averages of temps for some of the larger rivers online in real-time, some of which seem to contradict this a bit…but this link is extremely helpful!

Thanks again!

 

[MacZ]

My pleasure. The main focus of the two maps is pH and conductivity, but most locations also give temperatures. Also look closely at the dates. Dry and rainy season temperatures fluctuate the further away you are from the Equator.

 

[Mike Wise]

Make sure these are water temperature and not the air temperature. It also is helpful to know at what depth the water temperature was measured and the season, as MacZ wrote. Most temperatures are measured during the dry season when water is slightly warmer. Also water temperature will vary after a rainfall.

 

[anewbie]

Make sure these are water temperature and not the air temperature. It also is helpful to know at what depth the water temperature was measured and the season, as MacZ wrote. Most temperatures are measured during the dry season when water is slightly warmer. Also water temperature will vary after a rainfall.

Do the fishes tend to breed during wet or dry seasons ?

 

[MacZ]

Do the fishes tend to breed during wet or dry seasons ?

Looking at the intermediate periods is most interesting. Many (catfish, cichlidss, most tetras) tend to time breeding season with wet season. Some toss that and breed at the end of wet season, having fatted up to produce eggs that wait in the substrate for the next wet season to then hatch. Killifish are an example.
And then there are the ones without a breeding season like most livebearers. They breed as long as there is water, because their young are highly adaptable and their strategy is to adapt to conditions asap.

 

[Mike Wise]

I've only collected during the dry season. I've seen larger cichlid species brooding fry. As for apistos, well, our seines did not capture such small fish, but did collect females in brood dress.

 

[StillLearningApistos]

I've only collected during the dry season. I've seen larger cichlid species brooding fry. As for apistos, well, our seines did not capture such small fish, but did collect females in brood dress.

Thank you all for this information/discussion. Again, not sure if it'll really make that large a difference, but worth a try. I feel that as long as I get a general "preferable" or "natural" range for each species that I'm keeping, I should do okay. I've had the three species I keep currently breed at 73-76 degrees (22 - 24.5 Celsius, roughly), with my cacatuoides breeding regularly at the higher end, so maybe I'm overthinking it. I do know, when talking about breeding native fishes to the southeastern US (thinking darters and sunfish), some only breed during the spring when temperatures raise and hit a certain range.

Again, I'm just trying to learn as much about this genus as I can and succesfully keep, breed, and raise fry from them. I actually hated cichlids until I got into the South American dwarfs (Rams first, then Apistogramma). Just wanna learn!

Thanks again! You guys are super helpful!

Tony