Hi guys n gals,
(apologies for the long post - I like to get all the facts up front...)
I have a 55g community tank that is light - medium planted, in which a pair of apistos seem to keep having false start spawns...
The stats
pH 6.2
Am 0
Ni 0
Na just under 10 (probably about 8)
kH 4
Temp 26.5
2 external filters, Fluval 305 & 205
1 UV installation on 205 output flow.
Lights (88W total) on for 10 hours a day with 2 hour break at midday (prevent excessive algae build up)
Sand substrate, spawning caves and layer of grade A almond leaves.
I change 42 litres (20%) of water every day.
The Fish
Pair of apistogramma agassizii
2 Pink Gourami
1 male Dwarf Gourami
6 Panda Corydoras
2 Sailfin Plecos
6 Rummy Nose Tetras
8 Bloodfin Tetras
4 Harlequin Rasboras.
I plan to rehouse the Dwarf Gourami, Sailfin plecos, Rasborasand Corydoras. I will keep all the Tetras.
The diet
I feed beef heart once a week, live bloodworm 3 times a week, live daphnia once a week, frozen bloodworm every day. Plus other foods specific to the other fish (such as algae wafers).
The problem
The apistos first spawned 2 weeks ago. After about 2 days the female was outside the cave and not interested anymore so I assume she ate the eggs. I guessed that she was concerned that the other fish would get to her eggs so she recycled them.
Last Saturday they spawned again. She was guarding some her cave, so I went and found some egg crate and some fine sturdy plastic mesh. I niitted the two together using nylon fishing line and have managed to separate 1/3rd of the tank with just the Apisto pair in it and keep all the other fish in the opther 2/3rds of the tank.
Yesterday she stopped guarding the cave so I guess she has eaten the eggs again despite my best attempts to make her feel more secure.
Has anyone experienced this kind of situation? Or does anyone have any advice on what I can do to get the pair too breed?
Any help appreciated...
Drammy
(apologies for the long post - I like to get all the facts up front...)
I have a 55g community tank that is light - medium planted, in which a pair of apistos seem to keep having false start spawns...
The stats
pH 6.2
Am 0
Ni 0
Na just under 10 (probably about 8)
kH 4
Temp 26.5
2 external filters, Fluval 305 & 205
1 UV installation on 205 output flow.
Lights (88W total) on for 10 hours a day with 2 hour break at midday (prevent excessive algae build up)
Sand substrate, spawning caves and layer of grade A almond leaves.
I change 42 litres (20%) of water every day.
The Fish
Pair of apistogramma agassizii
2 Pink Gourami
1 male Dwarf Gourami
6 Panda Corydoras
2 Sailfin Plecos
6 Rummy Nose Tetras
8 Bloodfin Tetras
4 Harlequin Rasboras.
I plan to rehouse the Dwarf Gourami, Sailfin plecos, Rasborasand Corydoras. I will keep all the Tetras.
The diet
I feed beef heart once a week, live bloodworm 3 times a week, live daphnia once a week, frozen bloodworm every day. Plus other foods specific to the other fish (such as algae wafers).
The problem
The apistos first spawned 2 weeks ago. After about 2 days the female was outside the cave and not interested anymore so I assume she ate the eggs. I guessed that she was concerned that the other fish would get to her eggs so she recycled them.
Last Saturday they spawned again. She was guarding some her cave, so I went and found some egg crate and some fine sturdy plastic mesh. I niitted the two together using nylon fishing line and have managed to separate 1/3rd of the tank with just the Apisto pair in it and keep all the other fish in the opther 2/3rds of the tank.
Yesterday she stopped guarding the cave so I guess she has eaten the eggs again despite my best attempts to make her feel more secure.
Has anyone experienced this kind of situation? Or does anyone have any advice on what I can do to get the pair too breed?
Any help appreciated...
Drammy