Ortegai Apistogramma - Apistogramma ortegai : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide

Introduction

Ortegai Apistogrammas (Apistogramma ortegai) exhibit a distinct inclination towards territoriality and heightened aggressiveness compared to their Apisto counterparts. In confined aquarium environments, the dominant male often lays exclusive claim to the entirety of the bottom region as its territory, curtailing tolerance towards subordinate males. Subordinate individuals might seek refuge within the vegetative cover or confine their movements to the upper water column. Notably, mature males can exhibit pronounced aggression towards females that are not yet primed for spawning, underscoring the necessity of a strategic gender ratio. A customary setup involves a male in the company of two females.

Compatibility within community settings extends to congenial species of analogous size and temperament. Options encompass mid-to-top dwellers such as Pencilfish, Tetras, and Dwarf Rasboras. Accommodating Plecos, small Catfish, and Rainbowfish can be contemplated. However, prudent selection is imperative when considering shrimp, with large-sized Amano shrimp being the only suitable candidates. Notably, the voracious predation tendencies of Apistos warrant caution against introducing smaller invertebrates and snails.

To mirror the Ortegai Apistogramma's native habitat, crafting an aquarium substrate from fine sand of a darker hue is recommended. Emulating a South American biotope entails adorning the substrate with decaying leaves, strategically positioned bogwood, and rocks. The incorporation of live plants, whether floating or rooted, constitutes a valuable adjunct, affording both shelter and a subdued light source while contributing to water oxygenation.

Strategically managing lighting encompasses maintaining subdued illumination. This can be accomplished by adopting a dark background on three sides of the tank and ensuring the luminance remains appropriately subdued. Augmenting territorial delineation with additional hiding elements, such as driftwood, treated flowerpots, and PVC pipes, contributes to visual barriers within the habitat. While the selection of the filtration system is adaptable, emphasis should be placed on maintaining water cleanliness and dissolved oxygen levels. A sponge filter supplemented with an affixed powerhead is a suitable choice for this purpose.

In males, the main body colour is shiny blue, and they have red marks near the scales above the lateral band. The lips are grey or light blue, while the cheek is sky blue with red markings. The front vertical bars are hard to see, but the bars towards the back of the side are clearer. The 7th bar is connected to a spot on the tail fin, which often isn't very noticeable in males.

The dorsal fin's edge is dark grey, with clear red and sky blue stripes that become more intense towards the tail. The lappets of the dorsal fin are red and sky blue. The anal fin is yellow and light blue, with the first spine and membrane being black. The caudal fin is a kind of orange-yellow colour. The pectoral fin is see-through, and the pelvic fins are light yellow, with the first rays' spine and membranes being light grey. There's no distinct lateral band. 

The abdominal markings have three horizontal stripes, with the most distinct ones being in the first and second rows below the lateral band, from the pectoral area to bar 4. The markings are less clear towards the back and in the third and fourth rows below the lateral band.

 In females, the main body colour is yellow with black markings. The dorsal fin is yellow with a dark edge, and the first and second spines and the fin's membranes are black. The base of the dorsal fin has dark areas that align with the vertical bars 3, 4, 5, and 6, especially on the upper side. Bars 3, 4, and 5 are noticeable below the lateral band. 

The first spine and membrane of the pelvic fin are black, while the rest of the fin is yellow, with a black edge. The caudal fin is yellow. Adult females typically have 2 to 6 spots within their vertical bars. The spot on the caudal fin is roughly square and merges with bar 7. The abdominal markings consist of three dark horizontal stripes, most distinct in the first and second ones.