apistogramma viejita care

[Jonathan Aquari]

i will soon be getting a pair or trio of one or both of these fish: apistogramma viejita, apistogramma cacatuoides.

I have kept cacatuoides a few times now and have never had any luck breeding them, their PH was below 6.5, not exsactly shure pf kh/gh but new they were 2-4 each. anyone have any advice?
also, i have never had apistogramma viejita and would like any breeding/care tips and info

Thanks

 

[Mike Wise]

Treat your "A. viejita" to water values around pH 6.5; dGH <10° & dKH <5° and they should be fine even for breeding. The same is certainly true for A. cacatuoides, so I cannot say why you had problems with that species. It might be the tank size/layout or food (apistos don't thrive on a diet primarily of dry foods). BTW, it is unlikely that the fish offered to you as "A. viejita" are the true A. viejita. 99% of the "A. viejita" in the trade/hobby are actually highly colored domestic strains of A. macmasteri. Still, they are a very pretty fish.

 

[Jonathan Aquari]

I knew that they reply aren't. A viejita, thanks for the info

 

[Jonathan Aquari]

Should I get a pair or trio

 

[Mike Wise]

Describe your tank: size, dimensions, decor, other fish species.

 

[Jonathan Aquari]

They will be in their own standard 10 gallon tank, if nessesary They will get a 20 long

 

[Mike Wise]

Only a pair in a 10 (and keep a careful eye on the fish for aggression and be ready to remove the loser); a trio in a 20L.