beginner looking to breed apistos

[fishguy]

Hi!
I'm looking to start breeding Apistogrammas, and am wondering what kinds are good to breed in a smaller aquarium (20 gal), or if I should buy a larger one. I'm verry interested in the Cacutuoides triple red and the Apistogramma Corumbae or Reitzigi.
Also, what kind of set up would I need?
any help would be great.

 

[Eva32181]

I have bred apisto cacatuoides in a 10. All the tank has is a spong filter, some driftwod, and some java fern, plus a few small hiding places. I filter all my water throuh peat when making changes, but that is probably not necessary for cacatuoides.

 

[Neil]

fishguy,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Almost any Apistogramma species pair can be kept and bred in a 20g. As a matter of fact, the part of the space that is really important is the lower portion of the tank, because apistos don't usually spend much time in the upper water column of the tank. Accordingly a 15g, having the same "footprint" as a 20g - but not as high, is just as good for them. When you get more than one species or more than one pair, you may need to look more closely at a larger tank.
That said, it can give a focus on how to set up an apisto tank. You could do a full planted aquaria, which is a whole world unto itself. Really all you need is a foam filter(but many will work), a bare-bottom or substrate, and items to "structure" the bottom of the tank (rocks, wood, plants, caves, etc.). Of course, you will probably need a heater.
Give the fish enough groundcover to hide from danger and breed, if necessary.

Apistogramma Corumbae or Reitzigi

I am not sure what Corumbae is, unless you mean A. combrae. And Reitzigi is probably A. borellii. Borelli and cacatuoides are good choices for a first apisto, but combrae might be kind of tough to find. Good luck,
Neil