best apisto setups

[andros]

hi i was wondering a good way of setting up apisto tanks.
is it best to use dark coloure sand which they can spit out to make caves with or gravel.
i am currently trying to breed apisto cacatuoides,agassizi and macmasteri.
is it best to have lots of plants to fill the tank up with?
also should i have upside down clay pots ive heard they are the best to use or should i use small shells or driftwood.
what is the best way of breeding these type of fish without them eatin their eggs?
should i have a dark background to help them and to make them feel less stressed.
i am also breeding n.anomala so if anyone has points for setting up anomala tanks please notify me.
thanks
andrew

 

[Neil]

andros,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

hi i was wondering a good way of setting up apisto tanks.

There are many ways to do it. Run a search here or take a look at this article: http://www.apistogramma.com/cms/Articles/Dwarf_Cichlid_Husbandry/Tank_Set-up_for_Dwarf_Cichlids/ for ideas.

is it best to use dark coloure sand which they can spit out to make caves with or gravel.

I don't think the color is as important as the size. Not too small a particle and not too thick, so you can gravel vac and they can move it around when need.

i am currently trying to breed apisto cacatuoides,agassizi and macmasteri.
is it best to have lots of plants to fill the tank up with?

Some structure is a good idea in the tank and live plants serve an additions function, but they are not necessary.

also should i have upside down clay pots ive heard they are the best to use or should i use small shells or driftwood.

I wouldn't use shell, but the others are fine. You can even put a pile of rocks in there and they will probably use it. If they really want to breed they will, even in a bare tank.

what is the best way of breeding these type of fish without them eatin their eggs?

should i have a dark background to help them and to make them feel less stressed.

I don't think that you need to.

i am also breeding n.anomala so if anyone has points for setting up anomala tanks please notify me.

You would probably only need to change the surfase that they use for depositing their eggs. A flat rock, wood, etc. They are open spawners and rarely use caves.

Good luck,

Neil

 

[andros]

thank you niel for that advice it is a great help