Advice on my two A. nijsseni

[Salabean]

Hello,

I brought a pair of Apistogramma nijsseni from the fish shop local to me recently. There were only 2 boys and a bunch of girls (from what I could tell going off cheek splodges and yellow for girls and paler/blue sheen and cheek line for boys).

My two are very sweet with the boy instantly confident in my 55G community and the girl being a bit shy until recently where she is finally swimming around more.

I did find that they don’t swim together though, and the girl will swim away from the boy even though the boy isn’t aggressive? I am not sure why this is the case.

Could I just get some advice on expected behaviour and how long pairing takes? And if they are definitely boy and girl. Thank you.

 

[MacZ]

A. nijsseni (and all the closer related species) are different from other Apistogramma in that 1. the female choses the male very pickily and 2. they are kinda monogamous. (Usually for maybe a handful of spawns.)

Usually it takes a bunch of males until she will accept one. If you're lucky she won't be very aggressive towards the male, like in your case, but there won't be much happening between them either.

The tank size tells me it's likely a community tank. If so, I'd rather not try to introduce more males for possible breeding. A community tank is not a breeding tank.

 

[Salabean]

A. nijsseni (and all the closer related species) are different from other Apistogramma in that 1. the female choses the male very pickily and 2. they are kinda monogamous. (Usually for maybe a handful of spawns.)

Usually it takes a bunch of males until she will accept one. If you're lucky she won't be very aggressive towards the male, like in your case, but there won't be much happening between them either.

The tank size tells me it's likely a community tank. If so, I'd rather not try to introduce more males for possible breeding. A community tank is not a breeding tank.

Thank you, that’s handy to know, it’s only been a few days with them so they might hopefully get closer. Hopefully she doesn’t become aggressive. I was advised these would be pretty peaceful apistos compared to others they stocked. It is a community tank and I got a pair as I thought they would be happier with each other especially with bigger fish such as my keyholes in the tank who are super chill but could be frightening to a little fish. I had heard a male and female would work better than 2 of the same gender. Both seem happy though and it’s a massive tank with plenty of foliage so if they don’t get on hopefully they will keep to themselves. Is there anything else worth noting about this particular species? Thank you

 

[MacZ]

and I got a pair as I thought they would be happier with each other especially with bigger fish such as my keyholes in the tank who are super chill but could be frightening to a little fish.

Common misconception. A single male is the better choice for a community and will stand it's ground easily against such peaceful fish like Cleithracara.

I had heard a male and female would work better than 2 of the same gender.

Same sex works if it's males and the tank is sizable. Females tend to be the more aggressive ones.

Anyhow keep in mind keeping pairs is almost NEVER right for cichlids. There are barely any that are truely monogamous. Usually they stay together for a couple of broods in one season, if they form pairs, but the common thing is a male with a territory spawning with all receptive females in it, and chasing off females not ready to breed.

Is there anything else worth noting about this particular species?

Nah, the breeding behaviour is all that's to it. Otherwise the species is pretty standard in foraging and territorial behaviour towards other species.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

And if they are definitely boy and girl.

They are, and nice looking fish.

cheers Darrel

 

[Mike Wise]

Only thing to add is that this is a true blackwater species that requires soft and acid (< ph 6) to successfully reproduce.

 

[Salabean]

Common misconception. A single male is the better choice for a community and will stand it's ground easily against such peaceful fish like Cleithracara.


Same sex works if it's males and the tank is sizable. Females tend to be the more aggressive ones.

Anyhow keep in mind keeping pairs is almost NEVER right for cichlids. There are barely any that are truely monogamous. Usually they stay together for a couple of broods in one season, if they form pairs, but the common thing is a male with a territory spawning with all receptive females in it, and chasing off females not ready to breed.


Nah, the breeding behaviour is all that's to it. Otherwise the species is pretty standard in foraging and territorial behaviour towards other species.

Thank you! I will keep an eye out then for aggression. It’s a large tank with lots of hiding spots, tank mates are two male (I think) keyholes as mentioned definitely one male, basically a pair who swim everywhere together but I’ve not seen them spawn.

They are relaxed and are friends with my two angels who are not aggressive so far. I’ve seen one be a bit grumpy once but generally they swim with the keyholes and just want food all the time. I think again ones definitely make the other could be either they are pretty much mature now.

The rest are rummy nose or Corys. The apistos have been completely ignored so far so hopefully all will be good

 

[MacZ]

Cleithracara are usually very docile, only becoming a bit aggressive when brooding.

Pterophyllum on the other hand... if they breed all fish that don't usually live near the ground will be fair game. If they are the same sex they will likely go at each other's throats. If that happens: Separate them and don't try introducing more of them. It's really hard to make a group work if they are already adults when introduced to each other.

Apistogramma are a bit territorial around feeding spots and towards bottomdwellers. Brooding females are a force to reckon with. Even in a tank like your's a brooding female would be able to restrict all other fish to one corner of the tank. Lucky if the water doesn't permit for successul breeding.

The Apistogramma are basically the most territorial fish you have there.

 

[Salabean]

Hi all,

They are, and nice looking fish.

cheers Darrel

Thank you!

 

[Salabean]

Cleithracara are usually very docile, only becoming a bit aggressive when brooding.

Pterophyllum on the other hand... if they breed all fish that don't usually live near the ground will be fair game. If they are the same sex they will likely go at each other's throats. If that happens: Separate them and don't try introducing more of them. It's really hard to make a group work if they are already adults when introduced to each other.

Apistogramma are a bit territorial around feeding spots and towards bottomdwellers. Brooding females are a force to reckon with. Even in a tank like your's a brooding female would be able to restrict all other fish to one corner of the tank. Lucky if the water doesn't permit for successul breeding.

The Apistogramma are basically the most territorial fish you have there.

Yeah I’ve had the angels a while so hopefully they won’t breed if they haven’t yet. They are well behaved and get along fine. It’s hit and miss with them though, I previously had two males before who were best friends, then one day the smaller one passed and then the other one became an ass. I will keep an eye on the apistos though and will remove any fish who cause a riot, I have a small spare tank set up for emergencies and can rehome worst case. Thanks for all the advice.