Apisto behavior questions

[SoCalSar]

Hello guys and gals! Seemingly like many, I recently aquired my first apistos, a male and female agassizi (double red). Beautiful fish. They've had about a week to settle into their new casa which is a 15 gallon with 5 otocinclus and 5 or 6 amano shrimp. It is moderately planted and has some good hidey holes in the driftwood. They're eating well.
Here's the rub; the male has started to chase the female around pretty much whenever he sees her. She's even started to sometimes hide behind the heater near the top. Sometimes she'll settle in underneath a little cave in some driftwood. I have a few questions about all this.

Is the male in the mood, or just cranky?
Is the female just cranky, or not in the mood?
Simply typical cichlid behavior? I've not had cichlids before now.
Should I get another female? Another male?
Is there room for a third wheel in a 15 gallon?
Are dither fish required? They seem to completely ignore the otos from what I've seen. I'd like to keep the current population but will change it If I have to.

I'd like for them to do the wild thing and have agassizis to distribute to the masses. Barring that, do I need to do something to create some more peace in there? Thanks for any help.

 

[Neil]

SoCalSar,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Is the male in the mood, or just cranky?

In the mood.

Is the female just cranky, or not in the mood?

Not yet in the mood.

Simply typical cichlid behavior?

Yep.

Should I get another female? Another male?

Up to you, but the female that you have will probably be ready soon, if she is old enough.

Is there room for a third wheel in a 15 gallon?

Possibly, but a 15g would be pressing your luck for a trio.

Are dither fish required? They seem to completely ignore the otos from what I've seen. I'd like to keep the current population but will change it If I have to.

You can keep the status quo, unless the aggression from the male starts becoming physically damaging to the female.

I'd like for them to do the wild thing and have agassizis to distribute to the masses. Barring that, do I need to do something to create some more peace in there?

I would just wait it out and keep an eye on things to make sure that the female is not being hurt and is getting food. It might well be the male that you are concerned for as soon as the female becomes gravid and lays.

Good luck. keep us posted!
Neil

 

[SoCalSar]

Behavior update (XXX rated?)

Thanks for the welcome! I'll probably become a regular if things are going the way I think they are.

OK, they were getting along fine this morning. I just saw the female appear from her cave in the driftwood, go to the male, and wave her caudal fin in the male's face a couple times. Then she returned to the cave. From what I've read this could be "Red Light's On" behavior. Exciting. Hopefully XXX updates to follow.

Anything special I should do to prepare if there are little 'uns? I didn't expect it so soon. How soon until they're free swimming? A second tank to raise them? I've got a 5 gallon I can set up. I know about the food needs and it's no problem. Special food for the amorous ones at this point? Special lighting? Help in the form of the written word or a good website is appreciated.

Gotta say, I can't believe I'm getting excited about some fish breeding. It is kinda cool.