Apistogramma viejita
Text Images by Robbie Kirkup, Proprietor,  Aquatic Fanatic
Click on images for bigger view

Species Name: Apistogramma viejita - First European import: 1972, by T. Hongslo
Common Name: Viejita
Family: Cichlidae
Maximum size:
      Male, 70mm/ 2.5 inches (60mm FBAS) (top)
      Female, 50mm/2 inches (40mm FBAS) (bottom)
      (my fish are oversized compared to size guides)
Environment: freshwater
Origin: Amazon River, South America. South America: Rio Orinoco basin, in the upper Rio Meta drainage in Colombia.
Description: There are at least four type localities. Apistogramma macmasteri is a very similar species, but has a less slender body shape, differs in the lateral line, and doesn't display the blueish lips found in A. viejita.
Sexual dimorphism: In juveniles the difference is hard to see. The females show some colour as well, this particular variation they will develop golden yellow with the black & white markings, although in fully grown fish the males are much more colourful. Besides that the males have an extended dorsal fin. Four-colour forms of Apistogramma viejita are known. Colour form 1 is from Puerto Gaitan, Colombia, 2 from Rio Muco and Rio Guarrojo, Colombia, 3 Rio Meta, Orinoco drainage Columbia and the fourth from tributaries to the Rio Manacacias between Santa Rita and Bengale, also Colombia. The fish have also been described from Venezuela. According to ‘Mergus Cichlid atlas’, this is the Rio Meta form.
Temperament: Peaceful
Company: Apistogramma viejita are best kept with other small peaceful fishes.
Water parameters: Temperature 23-28°C / 73-82°F; pH 5.5 – 6.5
Aquarium setup: Apistogramma viejita is best kept in a planted aquarium with a lot of hiding places among roots and rocks. 
Apistogramma viejita is best kept in groups though more than one male and they may fight. Leave some areas open for display and feeding.
Feeding: Apistogramma viejita  accept granule & flake food, all cichlids do require frozen and living food to breed.
Breeding:
A female showing her face at the ‘door’ as she guards her eggs.
Apistogramma viejita, the males are the peacock of the sexes and are typical of all Apistogramma and most dwarf cichlids. He will display to attract the female, and once the female is interested, both will scrutinize the aquaria décor for a suitable spawning site, if the female shows no interest she will be attacked, make sure the lids are on the aquariums, I have lost both sexes this way. Viejita are an expensive dwarf around £20 per pair compared with £3 per pair for blue ‘ramerezi’ and most dealers will not sell extra females. The aggressive role however, is reversed once the female has a clutch of eggs to guard.
The viejita lay their eggs in caves, on roots or on the leaf of plants. These fish were bred in a 10cm clay pot with a glass base silicone on and an entrance hole broke into, using a hacksaw and a pair of pliers cut & break the upturned pot lip. The female lays a smaller number of eggs 20 - 40. The female guards the eggs and the fry, while the male guards his territory which may contain several females with fry. If the male is being attacked by the female he can be removed or add, some dither fish Danios for example, the male will once again be important to the female.
After around two weeks of guarding her nest, the fry will be seen venturing out, and will dart back to safety at any disturbance. At this time you can begin specifically feeding the fry as well as the parents. I use a mix of walter/micro worms and brine shrimp naupi the fry will become more brave as they avidly feed on the live food. I continue the live food feeding but after a fortnight I add artemia powder food, gradually increasing the grade size as the fish grow, a month after the fry have been swimming water changes can be carried out. When the juvenile apistos reach 15 – 20 mm the parents can be removed and the juveniles will take over the tank, if you leave them together, there is a risk the parents will spawn again and eat the juveniles!
At this stage the viejita look like any other Apistogramma youngster, and being an importer. I am used to seeing a box of 400 or so Apistogramma, which happen to be which ever species you want, until 3 months later when you end up with a half dozen species and no way of matching the females!
I prefer now to use just a couple of trusted suppliers, these fish came to me from Rhunimens, in Holland via there collectors in Columbia. And there are a lot of Dwarf Cichlid enthusiasts breeding and in some case improving the colours of these fish in Europe!
Photos:- I have added my Best show Male and Female, both having won first place in open competition, with male winning the F.B.A.S. Championship class in 2008.
The juvenile with their typical colour pattern which they can keep for (3 months males) females for life! 
A trio at 35mm  
The breakdown of markings on one of the fish as the broken central stripe & lower dorsal stripe breaks out, makes it a definite male, in about a month red colouration and fin extensions will come in. The females markings will be as the juveniles, a heavily blotched central stripe, lower dorsal black stripe and a ‘Nike’ stripe below the red eye, on a white to cream base colour. As the female reaches breeding age she will take on a yellow golden base colour.