A. macmasteri (newbie)

[locus]

Hi,

I'm going to be getting a pair of A. macmasteri within the next couple of weeks, to be kept in a 24" ~10 gallon tank.

My question is, will I need any dither fish to go in with them and if so, what is the recommended species & number?

Cheers!

 

[aspen]

you may or may not NEED dither fish with a pair of apistos. it will depend on how they behave. but, that will likely be too late to add fish, after they have established themselves. (cichlids are territorial, right?) i would add a couple of oto's, they don't eat eggs, and they are not agressive.

rick

 

[2la]

Dwarf pencilfish or the smaller hatchetfish species make great dither fish. They generally keep to the upper strata of the tank, barely represent a threat to the fry, and are easily fended off by apistos.

Now, may I ask the exact dimensions of this 10-gallon tank? I've never seen a 24" one (only 20") and would LOVE to have a (read: multiple) tank(s) like this--talk about apisto-breeding heaven!

 

[locus]

I tell a lie... The tank is 24" x 10" x 12", which is closer to 12 gallons.

If you wanted a 10g 24" tank, you would make it 24" x 10" x 10".

How many dwarf pencilfish would you recommend?

 

[aspen]

i tried some harrisoni pencils, and they were very timid and shy, not, in my mind, good for an apisto tank. at the moment, i have 12 beckfords with my cacatoides and they are perfect. they aren't nearly as timid, and will mix around quite nicely. i don't like to buy less than 6 of any small tetras, due to the fact that you often lose a few and 4 is the minimum imo. (so 6 would be good.) but, acclimation is THE KEY to having 'good luck'. go for a long acclimation period with a slow drip, and make sure the water is suitable because as with pencils, soft water is much preferred, like your apistos.

btw, i have observed them vorasciously going after hair algae, a real surprise. they have a dark body when settled in, and the males have a nice red splotch at their lower rear, and are very attractive.

rick

 

[2la]

Thanks, locus, but I don't think I'll be making my own tanks anytime soon...I have a hard enough time chewing and walking gum at the same time. Errmm, make that walking and chewing gum at the same time (or thinking and typing at the same time, apparently). Was hoping it was a premanufactured model. Anyways, for a 10G I would recommend about six dwarf pencilfish. As Rick notes, Beckford's pencils are indeed beautiful and I like them a lot, but they don't school tightly like dwarves, grow a little bit larger, and represent a greater threat to the fry because they tend to explore all reaches of the tank. That wouldn't necessarily spell doom for your fry, though, so it's up to you. Best of luck!

 

[Neil]

locus,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

aspen wrote:
you may or may not NEED dither fish with a pair of apistos

.

This is quite right, but it is a personal decision. Most tetras a fine tankmates, but heed the warning of the others, if you intend to breed and have little tetra food roaming around the tank. Before that time, however, tetras, pencils, rasboras, etc. are usually fast enough to not get into any trouble with your apistos (They may not even pay much attention to them). They may also provide security for shy apistos to show themselves a little more.
Neil