Apistogramma barlowi

Apistogramma barlowi was described in 2008 and is most likely endemic to the Ampiyacu River system in Peru. It has a breeding method that is almost unique in the genus: it is a biparental, facultative mouthbrooder that carries its larvae in the mouth. Sometimes one parent mouthbroods, sometimes both; sometimes the larvae are kept in a shallow pit in the sand. Males have a large head and thick lips; two separate populations are known, one with red markings ("Glaser") and one pale ("Hauswell").

• At least 80 liters for a pair.
• 24–27°C, pH 4.5–6.5, very soft water; gentle flow and good oxygenation.
• Fine sand (makes mouthbrooding and digging pits easier), roots, leaf litter and a few caves.

Carnivorous. Frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis, bloodworms and daphnia should be the staple; it accepts sinking granules once accustomed to them.

It sets up a territory as a pair; the male is harsh toward males of its own species. During the fry period the parents are quite protective. It gets along with calm midwater fish; it hunts shrimp.

Good companions: tetras that like soft water, pencilfish, hatchetfish, otocinclus.

Avoid: hard-water species, large cichlids, shrimp, other Apistogramma males.