Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
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Names
Scientific name
Taeniacara candidi
Apistogramma weisei
Common name
/
Torpedo-Zwergbuntbarsch (DE)
Origin
Origin: South America (Amazon River and Negro River)
Biotope: Amazonian
Dimorphism
The male has a pointed caudal fin and elongated pelvic fins. The male is also larger than the female
Group
Cichlidae
Volume
50 L / 11 Imp gal / 14 US gal
Parameters
T°: 26 to 28°C or 79 to 82°F
pH: 4 to 6
Hardness: 1 to 5°dGH
Difficulty
Hard
Size
Female: 3cm (1.2") - Male: 5cm (2")
Longevity
2 to 3 years
Living zone
Middle and depth
Individuals
couple or harem
Food
How to feed the Taeniacara candidi?
Food
How to feed the Taeniacara candidi?
Some specimens of this species do not consume dry food. Instead, plan meals based on live or frozen prey, which you will vary as often as possible.
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Taeniacara candidi have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Taeniacara candidi have?
This species is calm but quite aggressive, both towards its congeners and towards other species, especially during the breeding season. The males are territorial and defend their territories against other males. Paradoxically, this fish also has a shy side and requires a secure environment.
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Taeniacara candidi?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Taeniacara candidi?
You can associate this fish in couple in a 50 L / 11 Imp Gal / 14 US Gal aquarium in specific. If you wish to maintain several couples, go directly to a volume of at least 120 L / 26 Imp Gal / 32 US Gal, then add an extra 50 L / 11 Imp Gal / 14 US Gal per couple.
For association with other species, choose small Characidae such as Cardinalis (Paracheirodon axelrodi) for example, or Guppy endler (Poecilia wingei) or Brown Pencil Fish (Nannostomus). These species are generally well tolerated by Taeniacara candidi. In this case, plan an aquarium of at least 80 L / 18 Imp Gal / 21 US Gal.
Breeding
How to breed the Taeniacara candidi?
Breeding
How to breed the Taeniacara candidi?
The breeding of this species is difficult because it requires very particular parameters. You will also have to install caves because it is a species that lays its eggs on hidden substrate (half a coconut will be perfect for that).
The recommended water parameters are: a pH between 4 and 4.5, almost zero hardness and a temperature of 28°C or 82°F.
The female lays eggs on the ceiling of her cave, which the male fertilizes afterwards. The female will remain in the cave during the whole incubation period, which is about 1 week. Then, she will come out accompanied by her cloud of fry that she will defend valiantly. The male makes her in the zone defense by defending the whole territory against intrusions.
Fry feeding: infusions (3-4 days) then nauplias of artemia.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Taeniacara candidi?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Taeniacara candidi?
In its natural environment, this fish evolves along the banks of rivers or streams. These places are very cluttered with branches and decaying dead leaves. The water there is "black", that is to say that it has an amber color, it is very soft and very acidic.
To recreate such an environment in an aquarium, you must absolutely use peat. Either you can make a bed of peat on the ground and cover it with 6-8 cm (2.4-3.2") thick dead leaves (beech, oak, catpappa) or you can also filter on peat. As for hardness, it should be very low (as close to 0 as possible). To obtain such a parameter, use 100% osmosis water. This will make the parameters of your aquarium very unstable, which will require a lot of precision in your maintenance.
As far as the decor is concerned, put a lot of roots and branches that will form tangles. Plant around them and use floating plants to soften the lighting and reassure your fish. The presence of a cave is also very appreciated (and indispensable for reproduction). For this, use coconuts or inverted earthenware pots.
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
This species is quite difficult to maintain because of the particular water parameters it requires. Moreover, it does not tolerate very well the variations of these parameters, which are already difficult to obtain. However, it is not impossible for the most experienced aquarists!
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