Reproduction of the "Amazonic Dwarf-Cichlid", Apistogramma cacatuoides, Hoedeman, 1951 (Perciformes: cichlidae) in Laboratory

Apistogramma cacatuoides belongs to the Cichlidae family, is native to the Amazon Basin and currently explored by extractive fishing. Due to male coloration standard, it is considered a valued specie as ornamental fish. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of the Instituto de Pesca - APTA/SAA/SP. Initially 12 couples were kept individually in aquariums (Phase 1). We sought to characterize aspects of reproduction: 1) age of first spawning, 2) number of spawnings per female, 3) number of eggs released, 4) survival of the larvae within 15 days of life and 5) proportion between the sexes. The positions were in shelters where the female care for eggs and larvae until they become free swimming. Larvae with 15 days of life were separated from their parents, transferred to other aquariums (Phase 2) in which they were kept until the juvenile stage to ascertain the proportion between the sexes and survival rate. Water parameters as, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, calcium and oxygen dissolved were measured in the aquariums of the reproducers. The first spawning was, on average, with 214.7 c 30.6 days, the females performed between 1 and 12 positions, releasing 95 to 1410 eggs. After 15 days, the average survival rate of larvae was 34% and the proportion between the sexes of juveniles was 1.6 female: 1 male. The fish culture of A. cacatuoides in captivity is viable and may provide an effective decrease of natural resources captures, protecting the endemic species in their natural habitat.Original Abstract: Apistogramma cacatuoides pertence a familia Cichlidae, e nativo da Bacia Amazdnica e atualmente explorado pela pesca extrativista. Devido ao padrao de coloraco do macho, e uma especie bem valorizada como peixe ornamental. O experimento foi realizado no laboratorio do Instituto de Pesca - APTA/SAA/SP. Inicialmente 12 casais foram mantidos individualmente em aquarios (Fase 1). Procurou-se caracterizar aspectos sobre a reproducao relativos a: 1) idade da primeira desova; 2) numero de posturas de ovos; 3) numero de ovos liberados; 4) sobrevivencia das larvas com 15 dias de vida e 5) proporcao entre os sexos. As posturas foram realizadas em abrigos, onde a fgmea cuidava dos ovos e larvas ate se estas se tornarem livre natantes. As larvas, com 15 dias de vida, foram separadas dos pais, transferidas para outros aquarios (Fase 2) e mantidas ate a fase juvenil para se verificar a proporcao entre os sexos e a taxa de sobrevivencia. A temperatura, pH, condutividade, a