Inca

About

Found in Peru, this small but feisty dwarf cichlid, Apistogramma baenschi, goes by several trade names in the hobby, most commonly 'Inca' or 'Inka 50', and is one of the more accessible members of a notoriously complex genus. It's commercially bred in decent numbers, which means captive-raised fish are usually available and are the better choice for most setups, being hardier and less demanding than wild-caught individuals. Identification is fairly straightforward once you know what to look for: five dark vertical bars across the rear half of the body, most visible when the fish is excited or stressed, plus a distinctive rounded black spot right at the base of the tail. Very large males also develop small extensions on the upper and lower edges of the rounded caudal fin. Behaviorally, this species keeps things interesting. Both sexes will squabble over rank, and females can be surprisingly combative during these disputes, occasionally locking lips with rivals. Males are generally polygamous and territorial toward other males but tolerate females. Breeding follows the typical Apistogramma pattern. Eggs are laid in a hidden cavity, the female takes charge of guarding the clutch and wrangling the fry, and the male resumes patrol of his broader territory. For anyone curious about dwarf cichlids but not quite ready for the more demanding species, this one makes a solid starting point.