Beginer Apisto

[Paulvechkin]

Hello people, so I'm new to the board and I am looking into keeping either apistos, rams, or possible Keyhole's in my current tank. Now from reading on here I've seen that very fine gravel or sand is ideal for apistos and my current substrate is small gravel, maybe 1-3mm in diameter depending on the piece. I am willing to change out the areas without plants and put sand in if needed (though looking through the gallery I have seen a lot of picture with gravel larger than mine). I have experience with Mbunas but none with fresh water cichlids so I am looking for a more hardy species.

My tanks dimensions are 24"x12"x15.5 and currently in my tank I have 10 Cardinal Tetra and 2 Golden Apple Snails, this week I will be adding a colony of 5-10 RCS as well (I'm hoping the shrimps spawn acts as a natural food source to supplement the cichlids diet). It is a planted tank.

Any help would be appreciated, (im also not really concerned about breeding either way, if it happens that great, if not thats fine too)

 

[ErtyJr]

Hello people, so I'm new to the board and I am looking into keeping either apistos, rams, or possible Keyhole's in my current tank. Now from reading on here I've seen that very fine gravel or sand is ideal for apistos and my current substrate is small gravel, maybe 1-3mm in diameter depending on the piece. I am willing to change out the areas without plants and put sand in if needed (though looking through the gallery I have seen a lot of picture with gravel larger than mine). I have experience with Mbunas but none with fresh water cichlids so I am looking for a more hardy species.

My tanks dimensions are 24"x12"x15.5 and currently in my tank I have 10 Cardinal Tetra and 2 Golden Apple Snails, this week I will be adding a colony of 5-10 RCS as well (I'm hoping the shrimps spawn acts as a natural food source to supplement the cichlids diet). It is a planted tank.

Any help would be appreciated, (im also not really concerned about breeding either way, if it happens that great, if not thats fine too)

For me the ultimate beginning apisto is A. cacatuoides. These are hardy fish that naturally occur in areas with a higher TDS and pH than some of the more finicky apisto sp. Also I keep A. cacatuoides in tanks with red cherries and they will eat adults when they can catch them as well. Mine are strictly in there for food, and they do breed and reproduce, but they are often eaten as well. I have a small colony going that I have not had to supplement though so it does well.

 

[ErtyJr]

Oh and I forgot to mention, I would definitely switch to a fine substrate in any place you possibly can. It benefits Apistogramma greatly, and is worth the effort.

 

[Paulvechkin]

Will the sand bother my apple snails?

 

[ErtyJr]

Will the sand bother my apple snails?

Nope, I can't think of anything that actually requires a large grain substrate off the top of my head actually. But normally apistos require very soft water, which your snails likely will not enjoy.

 

[Paulvechkin]

Hmm, maybe I'll just wait for another tank before i do apistos, I want to do it right and set up a tank specifically off them and not force it

 

[ErtyJr]

Hmm, maybe I'll just wait for another tank before i do apistos, I want to do it right and set up a tank specifically off them and not force it

That sounds like an excellent idea.