Basic Tips on Breeding Apistos?

[Aviant]

Hi all, I'm getting ready to start another tank, one specified for Apisto's only. I'd like to try my hand at breeding them. I've been reading up on things and I hear that the minimum sized tank they'd breed in is a 15gal, they like live foods, water parameters arent so demanding (I think).

I plan on either buying a 15-20gal tank, making it a species only tank, Sponge Filters, probably some type of river rock gravel or sand - Regular tap water, probably some low light plants and a bunch of live foods (depending on what kind I can readily acquire)

What I'd like to know is what are some awesome successful methods to breeding them?

 

[Ekona]

Hi, Aviant. You have a rich resourse on information to get you started with your apisto breeding project as there is plenty of info on the forum for how to set up to keep and breed apistos, with many discussions, tips, photos and and videos on how-to's and what has worked successfully, so dive in and you will have enough information to get started. The actual doing of keeping and attempting to breed will give you the experience you'll need to see what works for you.

I plan on either buying a 15-20gal tank, making it a species only tank, Sponge Filters, probably some type of river rock gravel or sand - Regular tap water, probably some low light plants and a bunch of live foods (depending on what kind I can readily acquire)

I would go with a 20gal long, as the more space the better. Also, apistos are generally found in habitats with fine sand substrates and typically spend time sifting through the sand with their mouths feeding off any food particles that may be found there. So I would recommend using sand and not larger gravel.

Sponge filters are good. Depending on the parameters of your tap water, you may need to adjust it by diluting with distilled water or reverse osmosis water to bring down the levels of disolved solids and pH. Or you could use peat filtered water or add alder cones to help with this, especially if you want to successfully breed them. Live foods are definite plus, including microworms, newly hatched brine shrimp, daphnia and others. Good quality frozen foods are also often used with success.

Here is a link to the YouTube Channel of Amazoniensis that I just found yesterday.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Amazoniensis/videos
He is a member of this forum and has successfully bred many apistos. I like his style of setting up a breeding aquarium simulating the natural habitat of apistos. Just one more source of ideas among many. Enjoy and good luck with your apisto project!

 

[Aviant]

Wow thats quite a bit of useful information, THANK YOU very much!! I'll be checking all this out right now.