Are there any common Apistogramma that are over 2.5in or 7cm?

[GrindalWormGuy]

I am looking into breeding Apistogramma, I have bred guppies and I have kept other south American cichlids before I wouldn't consider myself a noob but I am not very experienced with Apistogramma. I have been looking into Apistogramma panduro and Apistogramma nijsseni as I really like their color. Are there any other cool options that are similar or bigger than those? I have a 20 gallon heavily planted set up, just wondering what larger Apistogramma species I can keep in there, anything a bit over 3in?

 

[Mike Wise]

20High or 20Long? A 15/20H is the bare minimum for larger apistos, especially more polygamous species, even for experienced apisto breeders. It can work for species that form breeding pairs (different from mated pair) like A. nijsseni/panduro, but only after a pair bond forms for breeding. If the bond does not last then expect a deadly outcome. Overly aggressive (for apistos) species like A. atahualpa are only safe in a 30Long or larger.

 

[GrindalWormGuy]

20High or 20Long? A 15/20H is the bare minimum for larger apistos, especially more polygamous species, even for experienced apisto breeders. It can work for species that form breeding pairs (different from mated pair) like A. nijsseni/panduro, but only after a pair bond forms for breeding. If the bond does not last then expect a deadly outcome. Overly aggressive (for apistos) species like A. atahualpa are only safe in a 30Long or larger.

It is a 20 regular 24 by 15 by 15in. I am thinking of getting a bunch and letting them pair up naturally. I’ll probably only have guppies as dithers.

 

[anewbie]

It is a 20 regular 24 by 15 by 15in. I am thinking of getting a bunch and letting them pair up naturally. I’ll probably only have guppies as dithers.

that is a 20 high; guppies generally prefer harder water and your panduro or nijjensi will require fairly soft water to breed. Naturally if you don't wnat to breed them you might find an non-optimal water condition that will be satisfactory for both species.

 

[MacZ]

I am thinking of getting a bunch and letting them pair up naturally

Hopefully in a bigger tank. As Mike said, it's the bare minimum. And I would really advise to have a second tank to separate the fish at any time.

I’ll probably only have guppies as dithers.

Then rather no dithers at all. Guppies are massproduced. They are in the top 10 vectors for parasites and pathogens among ornamentsl fish.