The description of this Aphyolebias schleseri was published together with two other new Aphyolebias species. That was with Aphyolebias manuensis and Aphyolebias claudiae by the Brazilian ichthyologist Dr. Wilson Costa in 2003. He also erected the genus in 1998.

Aphyolebias schleseri lives in the northeast amazon part of Peru and is only known from the type locality. This place is Cano Lata, 1 km upstream from Tacshacuraray in North Peru. This location is not far from locations that are the habitat of Aphyolebias peruensis. Following Huber, the species is widespread but spot- wise.

The name was given in honor of D.M. Schleser, who was co- discoverer of this fish, together with M. Weitzman in 2002.

Keeping and breeding are easy, but it takes some patience from the breeder. This because the eggs need a long incubation period of up to 4 months. To produce many eggs, the parents need to get live food only in a wide variety and mass. Like all fast-growing SAA's, they do not like dry food and rather die than get used to it. Sometimes they eat frozen foods also, but you should never skip the life food for them. They can be very productive, and the best set-up is one male and two or more females in a tank from 25 to 40 liters. Males are not too aggressive against the female, as you will see. Like all Aphyiolebias species, this species is found in primary forests and should be treated as Aphyolebias peruensis for breeding and maintenance. Aphyolebias eggs do not survive in very dry peat moss.

Storing the eggs is easy too but as said before... a matter of patience. It would be best if you boiled the peat before you use it in the breeding tank. I use deep containers with peat to avoid food enters the peat and later affects the eggs. This container will also keep the amount of peat as small as possible but the layer high enough to dive in completely. After spawning for two weeks, the peat is squeezed out and dried to a level of fresh tobacco. Storage is best at 25 Celsius in a dark place. After a few months, it is wise to look into the peat if eggs are still there and if any development is visible. Because eggs need a long incubation time, it is recommended to check the peat bi-monthly if it is still wet. If peat is put away very moist and warm (up to 30 C.), the eggs will hatch in an earlier stage. It is, however, also possible that the eggs disappear entirely by the building up of fungus.

Remarks :

The species is still in the hobby but seldom offered. It need some extra attention to keep it for the hobby in the future as well.

Max. size 7.5 cm.
Dorsal 9.5,
Anal 15.0,
D/A 9.0,
LL scale count (average)31.5
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 72.2 %
Depth to % SL – 21.1 %