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Also note that rummy-nose tetras have a reputation for being fry predators, like many blackwater tetra species. They are not a good addition to a breeding tank. In a community tank where apisto breeding is not possible (only 1 sex) they are OK.
Nitrogen source is probably plant material. I see a 'fuzzy' pod on the right of the tank. It is deteriorating and fungus is working on it. Not a real problem IMHO. Time and nitrifying bacteria is all that is needed.
When this happens to my lift tubes I use a length of 14 gauge electrical wire to unclog it (my air valves, too). I also keep extra pieces of rigid tubing in a tub of water that soften the clogs.
Ivanacara and Nannacara species are 'secretive spawners'. This means that the eggs are laid in a hidden spot, but not hidden under a covering like apistos do. The pair are probably checking out a spawning site, but it really depends on how the tank is decorated to say for sure.
Not only that but breeding sites a generally very different. Cichlasomines are mostly open substrate spawners while geophagines are mostly secretive spawners or mouthbrooders.
As Darrel has written many times pH measurements are not all that reliable in soft water. This is especially true when using most chemical and pen pH testers that aquarists use.
A. gibbiceps, being an agassizii-complex species, will show a metallic blue spot on the upper lip. A. uaupesi, being an iniridae-group species, doesn't show the lip spot.
Römer & Beißenherz 1996 paper, "Environmental determination of sex in Apistogrammai (Cichlidae) and two other freshwater fishes (Teleostei)" gives their detailed methods and results.
Also Römer wrote a paper dealing with observations of apistos in the wild. He determined that dominant females...
I keep my fish room at 76°F (~24.5°C). Lower tanks are very slightly cooler than upper tank but not by much. The only variations are the water in the tanks. Some are softer than others.
Temperature is the primary determinant in sex ratios for apistos, but pH does have a subordinate effect. pH effects vary with the species. I prefer to breed at a slightly lower temperature than 79°F/26°C because I prefer to get more females. I have found that males will out-compete females for...
The pictures are not good enough for me to say anything for sure but the last photo of the male appears to show missing scales. Possibly physical damage at some time.