How much space does A. trifasciata need?

[Joshaeus]

Hi everyone! LONG time no post. I have a pair of Apistogramma trifasciata, currently isolated between two five gallon tanks...I had this in retrospect lousy idea to try spawning them in another five gallon, and all they did was squabble. I have recently set up a fifteen gallon - 24 by 12 by 12 inches, my largest tank at the moment - and was wondering whether that would be big enough to keep and spawn this pair or whether I should just try to rehome them. Thanks

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

.... I have a pair of Apistogramma trifasciata, currently isolated between two five gallon tanks...I had this in retrospect lousy idea to try spawning them in another five gallon, and all they did was squabble.

Welcome back, as you've found they are quite aggressive.

I have recently set up a fifteen gallon - 24 by 12 by 12 inches, my largest tank at the moment - and was wondering whether that would be big enough to keep and spawn this pair

Depends, it isn't really big enough, but if it was basically full of structure it might be OK,and I mean really full (like below) so that "line of sight" is never more than a few inches

If I kept them again I would try a male and three females in a 48 inch tank, but there would still be a "growing out the fry issue", because the males are homicidal from an early age.

or whether I should just try to rehome them. Thanks

Probably the best bet.

Cheers Darrel

 

[Joshaeus]

Hi all,

Welcome back, as you've found they are quite aggressive.

Depends, it isn't really big enough, but if it was basically full of structure it might be OK,and I mean really full (like below) so that "line of sight" is never more than a few inches

View attachment 17930
If I kept them again I would try a male and three females in a 48 inch tank, but there would still be a "growing out the fry issue", because the males are homicidal from an early age.

Probably the best bet.

Cheers Darrel

Well then...I guess I'll be rehoming them. Not what I wanted to do, but oh well...thanks.

 

[anewbie]

They are one of the more aggressive species in regards to m/f squabbles. For a 15 borelli will work as well as pucallpaensis (wetspot as a few wc ones); i highly recommend pucallpaensis you can read about them here:

Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis the T-Bar Cichlid

Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis is closely related to the Apistogrammas. They are attractive, uncommon, often aggressive, and demanding.

dwarfcichlid.com

I've found them to not be as aggressive as the author and have kept them in 10s before.