Apisto Fry Removal ?

[Hassles]

Recently my pair of Cacatouides (German) double reds spawned. A few days after the fry were free swimming the female began harrassing the male 'really badly'. I removed the male to another tank. What I wish to ask is this.....ideally, how should I have handled the situation, removed the male ? removed the fry ? removed both parents ? What is the most suitable approach when confronted with such a situation ? I am really eagre to know as my Borelli Opal (German) are going through the motions and my double reds must be ready to spawn again.

Thanks

 

[dw1305]

Hi,
My suggestion for next time would be to go for a very heavily planted tank, so there is little in the way of uninterrupted eye-line, allowing the male to escape. You might find some shelter at the top of the tank is also useful, I've used a piece of pipe and lots of either Pistia ("Water Lettuce"), Ceratophyllum (Hornwort), Ceratopteris (Indian Fern) or Salvinia (Floating fern).
See the planting suggestions on http://dwarfcichlid.com/Good_habitat.php.

I also keep dithers (Black Neons with A. cacatuoides), which act as target fish when the female is protecting a spawn. Other people use Hatchets, Splash Tetras or Pencils.

There is more on:
http://www.forum.apistogramma.com/showthread.php?t=7910

My experience with A. cacatuoides is that with a lot of alternative hiding sites, clay pots, coconut shells, bamboo canes, holey wood and java moss tangles etc,. you can leave the male, female and several generations of fry in the tank together.
cheers Darrel

 

[bigbird]

hi,

it sometimes depends on the size of the tank, however, give all IE male, other fish,fry etc enough hidding spaces and it should be fine. If you really wish to breed, my suggestion is to set up a seperate tank just with the pair you wish to breed, once this is done after 2-3days remove the male and then after 8 weeks the female. Then leave the free swimming fry on ther own. This is what I have done. This give you a large success rate of fry. However having said that, in my 5ft tank where I have various apostos, I have also had success, however with only 2-3fry surviving to a larger age.
Give them however tons of room to move and especially hide. Rocks, caves, wood, plants etc. cheers and good luck jk :biggrin: