fish · Cichlidae

Inca dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma baenschi

Wild range: Lower Río Huallaga system — Shanushi and Paranapura drainages (tributaries of the Marañón), northwestern Peru (South America)

At a glance: Inca dwarf cichlid care

Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.

What temperature is listed for Inca dwarf cichlid?

The compiled profile lists 20.0–26.0 °C for Inca dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma baenschi). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.

What tank size is listed for Inca dwarf cichlid?

The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 20.0 US gallons (75.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.

What pH is listed for Inca dwarf cichlid?

The compiled profile lists a pH of 4.0–6.5. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.

Natural habitat

Small, shallow, cool forest tributaries under dense canopy over fine sand with leaf litter and submerged wood; very soft, tea-stained blackwater with wild pH measured ~4.1–6.3 (Seriously Fish, Practical Fishkeeping / Römer, dwarfcichlid.com).

Where they are found

Catalog primary locked as Apistogramma baenschi Römer, Hahn, Römer, Soares & Wöhler, 2004 (CoF Current status: Valid; FishBase). Type locality tributary of Río Shanushi, lower Río Huallaga System, Peru, near 6°03'S, 77°53'W. Named for German publisher Hans A. Baensch (ETYFish / FishBase / SF). DATZ A-number A188. Pre-description trade names still seen: A. sp. 'Inca'/'Inka', A. sp. 'Inka 50'/'Inca 50', A. sp. 'highfin nijsseni', A. sp. 'Nijsseni 2', A. sp. 'red crescent'. Member of A. nijsseni group / A. trifasciata lineage (SF / Mike Wise lists). Distinct from A. nijsseni (separate species; more demanding). IUCN Least Concern (Ortega Torres et al., assessed 2014-04-24 per FishBase).

Aquarium care

Cool-preferring Peruvian dwarf cichlid (males with high dorsal lappets and red-margin caudal). Plan ≥20 US gal (~75 L) for a pair or community with a long footprint; SF absolute volume ~19 US gal / 80×30 cm base for a pair; Aquarium Co-Op genus floor 20 gal community; aquaportail ≥80 L; dwarfcichlid.com 20+ gal — locked 20 gal. Soft acidic water 20–26°C, pH 4.0–6.5, GH ~1–5 (SF 20–26 / 4.0–6.5 / 1–5; AquaInfo 20–26 / 4–6.5 / 0–4; aquaportail 20–26 / 5.0–6.5 / 1–5 — locked SF∩AquaInfo temp/pH with SF∩aquaportail GH 1–5; aquaportail pH floor 5.0 noted as conservative aquarium band). Fine sand, caves for each female, leaf litter, dim light with Cryptocoryne/Java fern/Taxiphyllum and floating cover; gentle sponge filtration. Captive-bred stock more adaptable than wild (SF, dwarfcichlid) and among the more beginner-friendly Apistogramma; still sensitive to organic spikes — mature tanks only.

Feeding

Primarily carnivorous on benthic invertebrates in nature (Seriously Fish, aquaportail). Offer regular live/frozen Artemia, Daphnia, Moina, bloodworm, cyclops plus quality small sinking pellets/granules; Aquarium Co-Op genus notes plant/crustacean roughage (brine shrimp, Daphnia exoskeletons) helps prevent bloating. Some keepers report snail-hunting (dwarfcichlid.com). Feed modest portions 2–3× daily; avoid dry-only diets for color and condition.

Compatibility

Semi-aggressive territorial dwarf cichlid; captive-raised fish are the better community choice with small peaceful mid/top dither fish (pencilfish, small tetras, hatchets) when caves and sight breaks are plentiful (SF, ACO genus). Avoid other Apistogramma in standard tanks and large/aggressive cichlids. Can be kept as pair or harem; multiple males need a large footprint. Do not conflate with A. nijsseni (more delicate 'panda' apisto) despite old 'highfin nijsseni' trade labels.

Breeding

Polygynous cave spawner; one male with two to three females when each female has a cave (SF, AquaInfo, ACO genus). Soft acidic water (pH ~5.0–6.0, very low GH) needed for full egg development (SF, PFK summary, aquaportail). Eggs hatch 36–72 h; fry free-swimming after further ~5–6 days and take newly hatched brine shrimp (SF, AquaInfo). Sexual maturity ~5–6 months. Breeding often best around mid-70s °F / ~24–26°C (dwarfcichlid, PFK). Female primarily tends brood; male may return to territory defense.

Sources

Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.