Apistogramma eunotus
Blue Cheek Apisto
Blue Cheek Apisto
Low stock: 5 left
Couldn't load pickup availability
Remarks: The blue cheek apisto is a small, fairly peaceful, and somewhat hardy species of dwarf cichlid. They rarely exceed 2.5" in length and outside of the expected territorial behavior toward conspecifics, are fairly timid and non-combative for an Apistogramma. Juvenile fish tend to be totally gray or silver with a black spot at the base of the caudal fin and females display the typical yellow bodies with black markings when mature and in breeding dress. Mature and dominant males have very attractive coloration with blue bodies, anal fins, and ventral fins accented by orange or yellow eyes, caudal fins, and dorsal fins. They also have a spot of red at the base of their pectoral fins and metallic blue gill plates which gives them their common name of the blue cheek apisto. Along with this brilliant color, dominant males tend to also have elegant extensions on the back of their dorsal fins and sometimes their anal fins.
While the blue cheek apisto is notably hardy and adaptable for an Apistogramma, they do best in captivity when their natural habitat is mimicked. In the wild, they inhabit small, shallow, soft, acidic, and tannin-stained streams and tributaries of the Rio Ucayali in central Peru all the way down to the Japura drainage in Brazil. These areas have plenty of fallen branches and botanicals littering the substrate of soft sand. Among these, the blue cheek apisto seeks out small caves in which pairs will spawn. Replicating these conditions within the aquarium as well as providing peaceful dither fish such as small pencilfish or tetras, plenty of small live foods, and live plants will encourage this species to spawn. An established pair will work together to guard their eggs and newborn fry until the babies are large enough to fend for themselves.
As they are a more retiring species, it is not recommended to keep the blue cheek apisto with aggressive fish or other species of Apistogramma. Doing such can cause them to hide constantly and possibly will result in injuries or even deaths. While this does limit what species they can be housed with in regards to larger and more robust fish, it does make them a great choice for other smaller, more timid fish such as hatchetfish, pencilfish, smaller rasboras, and smaller tetras. With their small size, vibrant colors, and hardy nature, the blue cheek apisto can be a great addition to smaller, more peaceful community aquariums.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: Peru
- Breeding: Tank-raised by Imperial Tropicals in Imperial Tropicals, USA
- Max adult size: 2-3"
- Diet: Carnivore
- Social behavior: Peaceful
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 75°F - 84°F
- pH range: 5.0 - 7.0
- GH range: 15 ppm - 100 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee