▷ Villavicencio Dwarf Cichlid | Apistogramma macmasteri | All info

Data sheet Villavicencio dwarf cichlid

German name:
Villavicencio dwarf cichlid

Scientific name:
Apistogramma macmasteri

Origin:
South America (Colombia)

Size:
Body length 6cm – 8cm

Aquarium

Length:
Length from 100 cm width and at least 25 cm water height

Contents:
from 54 liters

water values

Temperature:
24°-28° C

pH:
5.5-7

GH:
1° – 8° dH

Behave

Area:
middle and lower area

Lining:
mainly live food such as mosquito larvae, small insects, crustaceans, leafworms, earthworms

Behave:
quite shy, very peaceful

Number:
Harem-forming (kept in pairs in smaller tanks)

Difficulty level:
Beginner

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Sex differences in Apistogramma macmasteri

Small males look like females. The sexes can then only be recognized with a trained eye. From about 3 centimeters in size, the sexes can be distinguished. Females are almost fully grown at 3 centimeters and no more young fish.
Males of the same age are usually considerably larger.

Apistogramma macmasteri pair Photo: Rebecca Barth

How A. viejita and A. macmaster differ.

In stores and at fairs, A. macmasteri is often sold as A. viejita. Especially if it is a bright red cultivar, it is probably A. macmasteri, even if the dealer or breeder claims otherwise.
Particularly pretty Macs are often sold as Viejita.

The cultivated forms of A. macmasteri often differ so greatly in coloration and finnage that they appear to be different species. The caudal fin can B. be round or two-pointed.

The distinction between A. macmasteri and A. viejeta is not easy. Both types seem to flow into each other and new forms are always being traded that combine characteristics of both types. It is therefore difficult to classify and clearly distinguish between the two types.
According to Linke/Staeck there are 3 forms of A. viejita, which are called Viejita I – III. However, of those, probably only Viejita I is a real Viejita. The other two forms are probably undescribed, distinct species. Viejita II is probably A. sp. “Red Spots”.

Apistogramma macmasteri male Photo: Rebecca Barth

Typical distinguishing features:

  • A. viejeta is more elongated than A. macmasteri
  • A. viejeta is much less high-backed than A. macmasteri
  • The Viejita’s dorsal and anal fins are much longer
  • The dorsal fin of A. viejeta extends beyond the caudal fin
  • The red border of the Viejita’s dorsal fin is much more distinct than that of the Mac
  • The Viejita has more distinct lower body stripes than the Mac
  • The Mac’s tail root patch is narrower and more oval
  • The longitudinal band of the Viejita is narrower and more zigzagged
  • The longitudinal band has more distinct lateral spots in the Mac
  • With the Mac, the longitudinal band has a gap in the 2nd transverse band

Instructions for rearing

Apistogramma macmasteri male Photo: Rebecca Barth

If there are numerous hiding places for the juvenile fish in the aquarium, some juvenile fish can also survive in a community aquarium.

Young cichlids do not feed on algae, but on the microorganisms on algae. The chances of some pups making it through are increased when supplementing with an air hose and a disposable syringe. With the syringe, some food stirred into water is drawn into the hose and sprayed directly into the school of young fish.

Cyclop Eeze is well suited as food. After a short time, A. macmasteri fed with it were a third larger than a comparison group that was fed Artemia nauplii and Artemia eggs. Both groups hatched on the same day.

A. macmasteri grown in a very humic environment may become noticeably more colorful.

Apistogramma macmasteri during courtship:

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