Apistogramma Inca Help

[Tom S]

Last week I purchased a pair of Apistogramma baenschi from a local fish shop along with a few tetras and shrimp. When I got them home I put everything in the tank, and let them settle in. The male cichlid became reclusive, and after two days of not eating it died. I contacted the local fish shop and they were great, no beef with them. But, now a week after the male died the female did the same thing and died as well.

So now I'm questioning if there is something with tank is wrong. It's a 29 gallon, and has been running for 3 months, is fully cycled, and my test kit indicates no problems. Sand is the substrate, it has driftwood for decor, and is planted. It is filtered by a hydra-sponge 3 and a powerhead (in case the cichlid do breed) and a stealth heater. Other tank mates include a handful of shrimp, 3 corys, and 10 cardinal tetras. None of the other inhabitants have any problems, they seem to be thriving.

Just looking for some thoughts about what else to check to ensure that I am not setting myself up for more failure.

 

[Mike Wise]

I think that it's a problem with the apistos. If the water parameters are all normal, then there seems to be something wrong with the apistos. A. baenschi is a pretty hardy species, but you might want to try a species that is more tolerant of water conditions like A. cacatuoides or A. borellii. Sadly Rams are not the ideal community tank fish. They need higher temperatures (over 82º F/28º C) and most commercially available specimens tend to be 'delicate'.

 

[Tom S]

Mike,

Thanks for the input. I didn't think that it was a problem with my setup, but wanted to be sure before I got more fish. Since both fish are gone, I was thinking of switching to a trio of A. cacatuoides anyhow, they seem to recommended as a good starter dwarf. I'll see what the shop has tomorrow.

 

[Tom S]

I got my new apistos last night. I picked up a trio of A. cacatuoides "Triple Red". Also talked with the shop owner. It turns out that the Inca I had purchased were wild caught (I was not aware of this). The new ones are captive bred, and are eating everything put before them.

What a difference in these fish. They are active, eat well, and establishing themselves well. The corys have already been banished to the far side of the tank, one of the females has entrenched herself in a hollow log, and the other one patrols the plants on the opposite side of the tank. I put in a bit of frozen brine shrimp and they had a feast. It's fun to watch. Probably old news to some of you, but I am getting a kick out of it.

I'm glad these ones are doing well. Pretty disheartening when your fist set of fish die within a week.

 

[Rod]

"Wild caught" Apisto's need special care.....even the most experienced can have casualties

Treated tap water is Good enough for Cauc's....
but your have to replicate native waters if you are going to have any success with wilds....even then the move to another New residence....can be the last straw.

Most Apisto's come from very soft acid water......people who catch them and wholesalers who sell them generally have a clue.....lots of lfs don't unless they specialise in them

My theory is there are lots of bacteria that thrive in hard alkaline water that can't survive in soft acid water.....all New fish are stressed....wilds even more....a couple of weeks with bacteria they've never faced....while they are stressed...it's easy for them to get infected

If they are taken home and housed in hard alkaline water.....can be curtains very quickly
I give them a mix(50/50) of rainwater and treated tapwater.....and ketapang(Indian Almond) leaves(acidifies the water and they have natural antibacterial properties) then small water changes each day for the next week with rainwater....I only feed live food while they are settling in.

I keep them in quite a small tank for a least a couple of weeks so I can make sure they don't need worming.....and it's easier to treat them in a smaller tank
When I'm Happy they are fit and healthy....then I move them to their home tank with a few dither fish.

Perhaps overkill....but seems to work....in most cases!

Enjoy the cauc's....great little fish....females are amazing parents
Don't give up on the wild ones!

 

[Mike Wise]

Tom,

I'm glad that everything is working out well with the A. cacatuoides. One word of warning. Once your apistos start breeding and showing their interesting behavior among themselves, YOU'RE HOOKED! You'll want more and more and ... :biggrin:


Rod,

I think you're right on!! - and quarantining fish is never overkill. Any fish put in my breeding tanks has spent at least 4 weeks - and often longer - in a quarantine tank.

 

[Tom S]

I think it's to late Mike, the rest of the world with have to go on without us. I've already got a line on a 55 gallon tank and have started to think about how cool that would look. Perhaps with multiple species?

 

[nicos apistos]

baenschi inka 50 breed

Hi guys,
My Baenschi had recently spawned i could see the eggs at the top of the cave but after 2 days they dissapeared. I was wondering if i could take them and self hatch or take the fry out or leave them with the parent? What would be good food for the fry?
-Nate

 

[Hack022]

I can't speak to trying to hatch the eggs, but are you sure they are gone. My Baenschi seem to move the eggs around every day or so. She moves them back and forth between 3 different spots. The first time I thought she ate the eggs until I saw swimmers 5 days later. During the second batch of eggs I paid closer attention and that's when I figured out that she was moving the eggs around..

Best of luck,

Tony

Hi guys,
My Baenschi had recently spawned i could see the eggs at the top of the cave but after 2 days they dissapeared. I was wondering if i could take them and self hatch or take the fry out or leave them with the parent? What would be good food for the fry?
-Nate

 

[Mike Wise]

I agree with Tony. I bet that the eggs hatched and the female moved the larvae. Wait about 5 days for the female to appear with freeswimming fry. The best food for apisto fry are live foods like BBS and microworms. Dry food is not eagerly attacked like moving live foods. Good luck!

 

[nicos apistos]

thanks

Thanks alot guys. Ill check closely over the next few days for any freeswimming fry.
~Nate~