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Apistogramma Velifera Breeding

Sowah

Member
Messages
41
Hi there,
I picked up a pair of apistogramma velifera in October last year but I have difficulty to have them breeding.
The water parameters are as follow:
pH: around 6.5-7 (currently using peated water to lower)
TDS: 100
kH: ~6
The fish shop told me I’ll have to keep the pH at around 6 for them to breed but I am also aware that the female is monogamous. Currently, only the male is chasing the female and the female only turns yellow when I’m feeding.
I am wondering if the current water parameters are suitable for breeding and if I should get one more female in my 20G tank just in case they don’t pair? If I separate them for a few weeks, would they forget each other and increase the chance of mating?

thanks you!!
 

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Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
A. velifera is a true blackwater species. Your 2 might spawn in your present water values but it is unlikely that the eggs will hatch. My suggestion is to lower the pH to ~ 5.5 and lower the KH to <2. The male is probably frustrated that the female has not produced fry and trying to drive her away in hopes for a more suitable male (or visa versa).
 

Sowah

Member
Messages
41
A. velifera is a true blackwater species. Your 2 might spawn in your present water values but it is unlikely that the eggs will hatch. My suggestion is to lower the pH to ~ 5.5 and lower the KH to <2. The male is probably frustrated that the female has not produced fry and trying to drive her away in hopes for a more suitable male (or visa versa).
Thank you Mike! From what you have mentioned, does that mean the pair won’t work even with the suggested water parameters? Or do you suggest me to lower the pH and KH before getting another female? I am currently keeping them with otos, nannostomus eques and rubrocaudatus as dithers, I believe they would do alright in such parameters?
 

MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,959
Location
Germany
Or do you suggest me to lower the pH and KH before getting another female? I am currently keeping them with otos, nannostomus eques and rubrocaudatus as dithers, I believe they would do alright in such parameters?
Yep, down with the parameters before you get another female, all fish should be fine with that.
 

Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Before I would get another female I would lower the parameters and let them try again. Only if there still are non-compatibility problems would I try another female or 2 ... or 3 or... .
 

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