Atahualpa hiding

[myhamii]

In my 64-liter tank, I have 6 neon tetras and 2 pairs of Apistogramma atahualpa F1. It’s been 4 days, and I haven’t seen the female at all. The male seems to be getting used to the tank—he comes out to eat when I feed them but hides again afterward. However, the female doesn’t come out at all, neither to eat nor to explore. What could be the reason?

 

[Apistoguy52]

atahualpa in my opinion, are probably the most violent Apistogramma species I’ve ever kept….she probably adopted the philosophy that it better to hide than to take the beatings. With that said, 64L is probably only appropriately sized for one atahualpa

 

[myhamii]

There are so many hiding spots in the aquarium that the entire bottom is covered with leaves—I even have trouble seeing them. The male isn’t aggressive; if he were, he would be chasing the neon tetras when they swim down. He’s also hiding with the female, but he’s one step ahead because he comes out to eat.

 

[anewbie]

There are so many hiding spots in the aquarium that the entire bottom is covered with leaves—I even have trouble seeing them. The male isn’t aggressive; if he were, he would be chasing the neon tetras when they swim down. He’s also hiding with the female, but he’s one step ahead because he comes out to eat.

There is aggression against other species and aggression against the same species. He is likely very aggressive towards the non breeding female.

 

[myhamii]

Since they are new to the aquarium, I don’t think they will enter breeding mode. The female will get used to it soon. She was ready to breed when I got her and had already colored up.

 

[MacZ]

Since they are new to the aquarium, I don’t think they will enter breeding mode. The female will get used to it soon.

It's very common to see dwarf cichlids spawn within the first few days after purchase. I wouldn't rule that out.

On the other hand: Hiding within the first two weeks is also not unusual.

But I also agree, roughly 65 liters for 4 of them is absolutely too little space. What are the dimensions? 60x30x35cm?

 

[Mike Wise]

Aggressive nature is a part of A. atahualpa. Dr. Uwe Römer even (jokingly) named them Man-eater when they attacked his hand when he put it in the tank.

 

[myhamii]

It's very common to see dwarf cichlids spawn within the first few days after purchase. I wouldn't rule that out.

On the other hand: Hiding within the first two weeks is also not unusual.

But I also agree, roughly 65 liters for 4 of them is absolutely too little space. What are the dimensions? 60x30x35cm?

I didn’t fully understand what you meant by “4.” There is 1 pair, and the dimensions are 40x40x40.

 

[MacZ]

2 pairs of Apistogramma atahualpa

2 pairs (there are no true pairs in apistogramma) is 4 by my calculation. Or is English also not your native language and something got lost in translation?

So the bottom area is 40x40.

Please reduce the number of Apistos asap. The closer the footprint is to a samesided square the less it is possible to really build in sight blocks and divide it into territories. With 4 Apistogramma of a known to be aggressive species this is not going to end well.

 

[myhamii]

2 pairs (there are no true pairs in apistogramma) is 4 by my calculation. Or is English also not your native language and something got lost in translation?

So the bottom area is 40x40.

Please reduce the number of Apistos asap. The closer the footprint is to a samesided square the less it is possible to really build in sight blocks and divide it into territories. With 4 Apistogramma of a known to be aggressive species this is not going to end well.

English is not my native language. I had written “one pair,” but it was translated incorrectly. Sorry about that.

 

[MacZ]

English is not my native language. I had written “one pair,” but it was translated incorrectly. Sorry about that.

Allright! I know the problem, allthough I translate myself.

Anyhow, the dimensions are still a problem. You have a tank where you can move one of the fish at any given time? Because you might have to.

What I said above about square footprint tanks stands. Not suitable outside a breeding setup with enough other tanks to move fish around.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Please reduce the number of Apistos asap.

In my 64-liter tank, I have 6 neon tetras and 2 pairs of Apistogramma atahualpa F1

But I also agree, roughly 65 liters for 4 of them is absolutely too little space. What are the dimensions? 60x30x35cm?

Aggressive nature is a part of A. atahualpa.

That one. It isn't a big enough floor area even for a male and femal.

cheers Darrel

 

[ButtNekkid]

Aggressive nature is a part of A. atahualpa. Dr. Uwe Römer even (jokingly) named them Man-eater when they attacked his hand when he put it in the tank.

I had a A. Cacatuoides male that used to do this as well. One time I startled and he came out of the tank and to the floor.