Atahualupa experience

[Jwitho]

I have a 75cmx45cmx30xcm tank I’m currently using to attempt to spawn Hyphessobrycon procyon, and I’m considering adding a pair of apistogramma to it, to grow on and either have a dedicated spawning tank or move them into my main South America display
what’s everyone’s experience with keeping Apistogramma atahualupa?

 

[Mike Wise]

One of the more aggressive apisto species, especially when breeding.

 

[Jwitho]

One of the more aggressive apisto species, especially when breeding.

The tank will likely become theirs for a while until I can source some a.kullanderi
It’s currently a bare tank due to breeding purposes but throwing in a ton of seed pods tonight to create caves along with a big of random decor to break sight lines
Running RO remineralised to KH 3 and pH 6 currently, so parameters should bring out the best too

Edit: thinking about agression, would a trio be a preferred dynamic? Similar to trifas

 

[Mike Wise]

If you really need to remineralize your R/O, use tapwater. Forget the expense and waste of using chemicals. They will actually be just as happy in straight R/O. Organics in the tank will change the water values anyway.

 

[Jwitho]

If you really need to remineralize your R/O, use tapwater. Forget the expense and waste of using chemicals. They will actually be just as happy in straight R/O. Organics in the tank will change the water values anyway.

Working in an aquatic shop I luckily had access to remineralisers but I will keep that in mind for the future
The main thing was wanting to breed different fish which would require different parameters

 

[Mike Wise]

Remineralising chemicals (salts) will simply raise the conductivity of the water; not the best for softwater fish.

 

[Jwitho]

Remineralising chemicals (salts) will simply raise the conductivity of the water; not the best for softwater fish.

Well I’m not using true mineralisers, it’s the seachem acid buffer and alkali buffer so maybe the same thing but not sure?
Picked a pair up will monitor and grab an extra female if needed
And then I’ll gradually just change the tank over to pure RO over time