Apistogramma setup queries.

[anton92]

Hi everyone, just new to the forum.

Just have some queries concerning the setup of a apistogramma breeding tank. Do different apisto's like different set ups? I see some breeding tank image online of well planted aquariums and in others there is the use of almond leaves with some java ferns.

I am considering cacatuoides at the moment. However, im from northern ireland and we have very few fish shops which stock any apistogramma's. In a LFS at the moment there is a large amount of Apistogramma Panduro, would this be a wise choice to begin with orwhat would you recommend.

Cheers, Anton

 

[sasikan]

i am new to apistos also, my first was a,cacatuoides i think they are a great first apisto keep the water clean ,warm, and they should reward you

 

[anton92]

What sort of setup have you got? Like tank size, substrate, bogwood, leaf litter or plants?

thanks

 

[CopabX]

I have a 13 gal nanocube with 3 female and 1 male apistos. The most important thing i've found is to have very soft and clean water that is slow moving, otherwise they get blown around and have trouble getting food. My pH is around 6-6.2. If you can get access to RO water is makes life much easier and makes the fish much happier. Also have a lot of plants (live preferably) and definitely bogwood to lower the pH naturally. As for leaf litter, i dont use it because i tried and it is a pain to clean and there is no guarantee of no hitchhikers. Medium to fine grain silica sand works fine for my tank. Hope this helps.

 

[anton92]

Cheers CopabX, just out of curiosity what type of apisto's do you have? would you use dither fish in breeding projects also?

Cheers!

 

[sasikan]

i dont have dither fish with my apistogramma cacatuoides ,they are in a 30 cm x 60 cm lots of hiding places (wood, caves, oak leaves but no sand ) they seem to be having a good time in there (lots of partys ha )i do have dither fish with my apistogramma baenschi and a. bitaeniata about the same tank set-up and yes lots of plants.

 

[CopabX]

I have fire red agassizis. As for dither fish, I have yet to have a fully raised successful spawning so taking the advice of a more experienced member would be better but I have some guppies floating around and a few bloodfin tetras with no problems.

 

[anton92]

Thank you for all your help!

Cheers, Anton,

 

[Apistomaster]

I haven't found adding dither fish to be particularly helpful.
If your tank is only 13 gals that is about as small as you would want to try for A. panduro. I would lean more toward a 20 Long. Metric dimensions for one is 30.5 cm X 30.5 cm X 76.25 cm. About 70 liters. Something close to that size would be better for A. panduro.