- Size: Up to about 3.5" (9 cm) — one of the larger commonly-kept apistos
- Tank: 30+ gallons, at least 40" (100 cm) long
- pH: 5.5–7.0
- Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)
- Hardness: Soft, blackwater conditions preferred
- Temperament: Variable — reported as anything from mellow to genuinely pushy
- Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
Overview
Apistogramma steindachneri is one of the largest commonly-kept apistos, reaching 3.5 inches with a heavy, blunt head, and needs meaningfully more tank space than beginner species like cacatuoides or borellii. It is a bigger, blunter-headed cousin to the classic apistos on this site — a stretched, compressed body topped with a heavy, massive head unlike the more delicate look of cacatuoides or borellii. Base color runs yellowish to light brown, lighter underneath, with a black lateral band, a black spot at the base of the tail, and a dark bar running through the eye. Gill-cover patterning varies noticeably by locality.
In the wild it's found in drainage canals and similar habitats with loamy, leaf-covered substrate and acidic water — a genuine blackwater specialist, closer in that respect to nijsseni than to the more flexible macmasteri.
Tank Setup
- Tank size: Give this one real room — a 100 cm (about 40") tank or larger is the usual recommendation, well above what cacatuoides or borellii need.
- Substrate: Fine gravel or sand.
- Hardscape: Roots, caves, and rock structures for a well-broken-up layout. A true blackwater setup with leaf litter and driftwood tannins is especially well suited to this species.
- Water chemistry: Acidic, soft water is where this species does best — don't expect the hardware tolerance of a macmasteri.
Feeding
Standard apisto omnivore diet: quality flake and pellet as a base, supplemented with live or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Given its larger size, a steindachneri can also handle slightly larger food items than the smaller species on this site.
Temperament & Compatibility
This is the species where you'll see the widest range of anecdotal reports — some keepers describe a calm, easygoing fish; others report real pushiness, especially from larger males. Plan for the more assertive end: give it more space than a cacatuoides, avoid crowding, and watch a new male's behavior closely before assuming it's harmless. Its larger size also means it can be a legitimate threat to genuinely small tankmates.
Breeding
Breeding follows the standard apisto pattern — cave spawning, female-led egg and fry guarding, male perimeter defense — but expect the process to demand more consistent soft, acidic water than the more adaptable species in this genus. Given the size and temperament variability, breeding pairs benefit from a larger, more heavily structured tank than you'd set up for cacatuoides, so territorial disputes have somewhere to dissipate.
A Note on Identification
Steindachneri sits in a cluster of closely related, frequently-confused species alongside macmasteri and viejita — even experienced keepers sometimes disagree on IDs from photos alone, particularly for females. If a confident, locality-backed ID matters to you, buy from a specialist rather than a general retailer. Taxonomically, Cichlid Room Companion places steindachneri in its own "Steindachneri" species group alongside the much rarer hippolytae — the two don't closely resemble each other and aren't a typical mix-up in the trade, but they're grouped together on the family tree.
Where to Get Quality Fish
Less commonly available than cacatuoides or borellii. Specialist apisto breeders and importers are the more reliable sources for a confidently-identified fish. See our sourcing guide for what to ask before you buy.
Final Thoughts
Steindachneri is a good pick for a keeper who wants scale — a bigger, bolder-looking apisto — and has the tank space and blackwater setup to match. It's not a species to drop into a small, lightly-planted community tank; give it room and genuinely soft water, and it rewards you with a striking, substantial fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does Apistogramma steindachneri get?
Up to about 3.5 inches, one of the larger commonly-kept apistos, with a heavier, more massive head than smaller species like cacatuoides or borellii.
What tank size does steindachneri need?
30 or more gallons, at least 40 inches long — well above what cacatuoides or borellii need, on account of its larger adult size.
Is Apistogramma steindachneri aggressive?
Reports vary widely — some keepers describe a calm fish, others real pushiness, especially from larger males. Plan for the more assertive end and give it more space than a cacatuoides.
Is steindachneri often confused with other species?
Yes. It sits in a cluster of closely related, frequently confused species alongside macmasteri and viejita, and even experienced keepers sometimes disagree on IDs from photos alone.
What water conditions does steindachneri need?
Soft, acidic blackwater conditions are where this species does best — it does not have the hardware tolerance of a macmasteri.
Apistogrammarama is written and maintained by the aquarium staff at Pet Zone Tropical Fish in San Diego, who have imported and kept South American dwarf cichlids since the store's founding in 2007.