Opinions on the ability to add apistos to this tank?

[bcs]

I’ve been throwing around the idea of getting a pair of cockatoo Apisto (or any that I can find) for a while now, but I’ve had poor experiences keeping other dwarf cichlids in tanks around the twenty gallon range with aggression. I was wondering if my main community tank would more be acceptable for a pair? Here are the specs
55 gal
Running for about two years or more.
7.4 ph
I cant measure hardness yet, but it is an RO mix so it wont be horrible in theory?
75-77 Fahrenheit
6 very old white clouds
Many endlers and fry
1 cherry barb
3 very Pygmy cories (movable if it gets rough)
3 bristlenoses. 2 small 1 medium
Some medakas but I plan to move the majority outside for the summer, (hopefully breed enough to trade for my an pair)
Flow isn’t terrible, and it’s planted pretty heavily. Ignore the circles I was planning an emerged plant box. I would get caves and leaves if necessary. I also have a ten and twenty gal if stuff needs to be moved. Would this work or am I asking for it? Also if hypothetically they did breed would that just nuke the tank with aggression when they bred? All opinions or suggestions welcome on changes in hardscape that would help accommodate these fish. Also know I plan to get locally bred ones from an auction so they might be a bit more tolerant of local water quality. I would also definitely 3d print caves etc. The third Image is the main layout I don't know what is showing up.View attachment IMG_7481.jpgView attachment IMG_7482.jpgView attachment IMG_7480.jpg

 

[MacZ]

Besides the fact that Apistos don't form bonded pairs a couple of A. cacatuoides would not work in your tank. Aggression in case of spawning would wreak havoc indeed, but also otherwise: Gastrodermus pygmaeus fit in the mouth of a male A. cacatuoides, many of the endlers (including adult males) would also find their way into that fish, the Ancistrus do not work with dwarf cichlids in general (and even one medium sized is too much in your tank) and ultimately you'd have to add much more structures. Ans speaking of structures: Fish do not need caves for hiding, they need sight barriers like driftwood to evade each other and something above to take cover under. They usually avoid caves at all costs as predators usually lurk in there.

If you could completely redo the stocking (especially get rid if the Ancistrus), you could think about a single male A. borellii. Otherwise I see no way without what comes down to redoing most of the tank.

 

[bcs]

Besides the fact that Apistos don't form bonded pairs a couple of A. cacatuoides would not work in your tank. Aggression in case of spawning would wreak havoc indeed, but also otherwise: Gastrodermus pygmaeus fit in the mouth of a male A. cacatuoides, many of the endlers (including adult males) would also find their way into that fish, the Ancistrus do not work with dwarf cichlids in general (and even one medium sized is too much in your tank) and ultimately you'd have to add much more structures. Ans speaking of structures: Fish do not need caves for hiding, they need sight barriers like driftwood to evade each other and something above to take cover under. They usually avoid caves at all costs as predators usually lurk in there.

If you could completely redo the stocking (especially get rid if the Ancistrus), you could think about a single male A. borellii. Otherwise I see no way without what comes down to redoing most of the tank.

Bummer. It’s interesting that many videos recommend bristlenoses but I guess that makes sense as the inhabit similar areas. Just for clarification, my bristle nose is not that large? I would have thought he was fine in a 200 liter tank/50 gallon?

 

[MacZ]

I missed the 50, just saw that sentence about 20. Sorry about that. In a 90 liter the Ancistrus would be too big in general. In 200 Liters they are generally fine.

Still plecos and dwarf cichlids don't make good tankmates:

Catfish in Apisto Tanks

What are good choices of catfish for an Apisto tank? I was thinking more along the lines of an algae eater or something to clean up uneaten food. Most Cories seem too large or meddlesome.

apistogramma.com

 

[bcs]

I missed the 50, just saw that sentence about 20. Sorry about that. In a 90 liter the Ancistrus would be too big in general. In 200 Liters they are generally fine.

Still plecos and dwarf cichlids don't make good tankmates:

Catfish in Apisto Tanks

What are good choices of catfish for an Apisto tank? I was thinking more along the lines of an algae eater or something to clean up uneaten food. Most Cories seem too large or meddlesome.

apistogramma.com

I know you are right but i'm kind of bummed. Not even if i gave all their own cave?