An adult yellow morph male of Apistogramma sororcula. Image from Staeck & Schindler
The polychromatic dwarf cichlid, previously known to aquarists as Apistogramma cf. staecki “Rio Guapore” (and various derivations of that name), has been formally described in the current issue of Vertebrate Biology, 66 (2) 2016. Authors Wolfgang Staeck and Ingo Schindler have assigned this taxon to Apistogramma sororcula, hailing from the drainage of the the Rio Guaporé in Bolivia and Brazil.
The blue color morph of Apistogramma sororcula, from Staeck & Schindler
The authors note that, “The dwarf cichlid described below from the Rio Guaporé drainage is an example of the many Apistogramma species, which became well-known in the aquarium literature long before the material for a scientific description was available. It was discovered in 1987 and in the aquarium literature later provisionally referred to by the name Apistogramma sp. ‘Guaporé’ or Apistogramma sp. ‘Rio Guaporé’.” A. trifasciata and A. inconspicua are also found with this new species.
Female coloration in Apistogramma sororcula ramps up to bright yellow during brood care (Staeck & Schindler)
We encourage you to download and read the full description online for additional photos, distribution and diagnostic information, and behavioral and husbandry observations.
