New Addition
Of all the cichlids living inside the Flooded Forest, the Apistogramma eunotus is the smallest. These dwarf cichlids are one of the newest additions to this display. In order to increase their chance of survival in a tank full of predators, the Amazon Flooded Forest team released a large number of Apisto juveniles into the tank hoping that they would immediately seak cover.
The fish remained in hiding for several months while they grew and adapted to their new surroundings. These juveniles were bred in-house and when they numbered in the hundreds, it was time to experiment. Now, fully grown at around 3 inches, the feisty Apistos have secured territories in the nooks & crannies of the tank and have started to breed.
If you look closely around the complexities surrounding the tunnel, you may see a bright yellow female in brooding coloration leading her fry to forage. Even though she may only be an inch, she shows all the characteristics of being cichlid – she will defend her fry against the much larger inhabitants of the tank.
