Common name
Abacaxis dwarf cichlid
Scientific name
Apistogramma sp. 'Abacaxis'
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Dwarf cichlids
Environment
Freshwater aquarium
Origin
Lago Glemende near Walendo in the middle Rio Abacaxis basin, lower Madeira drainage, Amazonas, Brazil
Care level
Advanced
Adult size
Males up to about 7.5 cm; females about 4.5 cm
Expected lifespan
Plan for 5–8 years; a verified species-specific maximum is not available for this undescribed locality form.
Minimum housing
At least 80 L with a 60 cm or longer footprint for a pair; larger for a harem
Temperature
25–27 °C
pH
3.8–6.0
Hardness / minerals
Unknown — naturally very soft, low-conductivity blackwater; no dependable °dGH range located
Salinity
Freshwater, 0 ppt; routine salt addition is not recommended
Lighting
Subdued, with shaded areas and overhead cover
Placement / zone
Bottom and lower water
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration with gentle-to-moderate flow, guarded intakes and accessible mechanical prefiltration. Keep blackwater stable without allowing leaf litter or food waste to create ammonia or oxygen debt.
Aeration
Maintain steady surface gas exchange while preserving calm shaded territories. Increase aeration during warm weather, breeding crowding, treatment or any sign of rapid breathing.
Maintenance
Change water regularly according to measured nitrate and waste, siphon trapped food and detritus, rinse mechanical media in removed aquarium water and verify that every fish is feeding and maintaining condition.

Identity and search names

This profile applies to stock with credible Rio Abacaxis or A227 provenance. A228 from the nearby Rio Marimari must not automatically be treated as the same population, and 'Wilhelmi' is a trade name rather than a formal species name.

Search names: A227, Rio Abacaxis dwarf cichlid, Wilhelm's dwarf cichlid

Environment and housing

Fine sand, leaf litter, wood, plants, dim refuge and several separated caves in stable, very soft acidic water

Social structure: A compatible pair; one male with several females only in a larger aquarium with separated territories

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Small aquatic invertebrates, frozen foods and appropriately sized prepared foods

Feeding routine: Small portions once or twice daily; confirm subordinate fish are feeding

Breeding, reproduction or spread

Cave spawner; the female guards eggs and fry

Parental care: Primarily maternal care of eggs and fry

Detailed care and app-ready planning

Identity scope
This profile applies to stock with credible Rio Abacaxis or A227 provenance. A228 from the nearby Rio Marimari must not automatically be treated as the same population, and 'Wilhelmi' is a trade name rather than a formal species name.
Adult size and space
Plan for males up to about 7.5 cm and smaller females. A pair needs at least 80 L with 60 cm or more of frontage, multiple caves and visual barriers; a harem needs substantially more floor area.
Social structure
Keep a compatible pair in the minimum setup. A male with multiple females is appropriate only when each female can hold a separate cave territory.
Swimming zone or placement
Bottom and lower water, especially around leaf litter, wood and cave entrances.
Feeding ecology
A small-predator dwarf cichlid that takes aquatic invertebrates and other small animal foods.
Feeding plan
Use varied frozen or live invertebrates plus fine prepared foods. Feed small portions once or twice daily and make sure females and subordinate fish receive food.
Water stability
Keep 25–27 °C and pH 3.8–6.0 stable. Numerical hardness is unknown, but the locality is very soft, low-conductivity blackwater; avoid abrupt mineral or pH changes.
Habitat structure
Use fine sand, leaf litter, wood, plants, shaded refuge and several caves whose entrances do not all face the same open area.
Compatibility plan
Choose calm tank mates that remain away from caves and do not outcompete the cichlids. Remove fish that cause chronic hiding or disrupt feeding.
Breeding or reproduction plan
Provide several caves and strong visual separation. Be ready to divide or remove adults if one fish is repeatedly trapped or injured.
Quarantine
Quarantine in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated equipment. Confirm normal feeding, respiration, skin, fins and waste before introduction.
Welfare checks
Check body condition, respiration, feeding access, torn fins, persistent hiding and whether a breeding female or male controls the entire aquarium.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium plants, water or sediment. Verify current BICON and South Australian rules before importing, selling or moving stock.
Main risk
Identity confusion and breeding aggression are the main risks.
Adult projected load
Project load from the adult pair or harem, cave territories, fry production and protein-rich feeding. A breeding group can create much more waste and aggression pressure than the small body size suggests.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration with gentle-to-moderate flow, guarded intakes and accessible mechanical prefiltration. Keep blackwater stable without allowing leaf litter or food waste to create ammonia or oxygen debt.
Aeration
Maintain steady surface gas exchange while preserving calm shaded territories. Increase aeration during warm weather, breeding crowding, treatment or any sign of rapid breathing.
Maintenance
Change water regularly according to measured nitrate and waste, siphon trapped food and detritus, rinse mechanical media in removed aquarium water and verify that every fish is feeding and maintaining condition.
Overridable warnings
Non-overridable: preserve honest A227/Rio Abacaxis identity, very soft stable water, separated cave territories and freedom from persistent aggression. Different filtration or social arrangements may be used only when provenance, water stability, feeding access and injury-free behaviour are demonstrably maintained.

Compatibility, welfare and risk

Compatibility: Peaceful, non-competitive tank mates that do not occupy caves or dominate the bottom; avoid aggressive cichlids and frantic feeders

Welfare: Persistent hiding, weight loss, blocked feeding access or repeated injuries mean the social arrangement or territory layout must change

Main warning: Misidentification, lost locality data and severe breeding aggression in cramped housing

Biosecurity and release

Never release fish, fry, eggs, plants, water or sediment. Check current Australian import conditions and South Australian restrictions before acquisition or movement.

Sources