borelli or ramirezi

[chris1805]

I have a problem, my apistogramma ramirezi male died after 3 weeks because of parasites. The female had them as well but survived them on her own ( i didn't add any medicines because i think that's not fair and not good for the fish.) My point here is i live in the netherlands and ramirezi are really weak. I would prefer now to have a pair of apistogramma borelli but i still have my female ramirezi. Since my tank is only 60x40x60 (in centimitres) and only 120 litres (arround 31 gallons) so i am kinda afraid that if i add a pair of borelli and maybe a new ramirezi male they will start a big fight.
the other fish in my tank are,
7 cardinal tetra
a pair of honey gourami
a pair of killi fish (Aphyosemion australe)

i hope you guys could give me some advice

Christian

 

[Mike Wise]

IMHO M. ramirezi is not a good fish for typical community aquariums. This species really does need higher temperatures than most other community tank fish - at least 28°C/82°F, preferably 30ºC/85°F. At lower temperatures they are more prone to disease/parasite problems. A. borellii is a much hardier and temperature-tolerant species. Have you thought about trading the Ram?

 

[chris1805]

yes i did but i am afraid the shop won't take it back, besides the only shop i know who sells the borelli want's 27,50 euro for a pair that is like 40 dollars or something and i think it's a bit to much since ramirezi is like 15 euro for a pair. But maybe trading it back would be the best option. Altought they will ask the reason why and how my male died and if i tell them it had parasites i am sure they don't want it back. What do you think will happen when i just but a pair of borelli in it and keep only the female ramirezi, do you think it will end up in a fight in my tank?

 

[gerald]

They might fight, especially when the borellii get ready to spawn. You can minimize the risk by setting up the tank so that the only possible spawning cave is near one corner (so the ram can stay far away from it), but that still doesn't solve the temperature issue. A. borellii might tolerate the higher temp needed for rams, but it may shorten their lives. How about setting up another tank?

 

[chris1805]

yeah i know about the temperature issue…. and a second tank is no option, i don't have the money or the space for it in my room. I think calling than probably will be the best option if i can trade it in or just buy another male ramirezi and hope that this one won't die after 3 weeks. It's just that i figured out ramirezi's are really hard and the water is giving problems to. I know they need a low ph of like 6-6.5 and i can't get my ph lower than 7-7.5 since the water here is 8.5…. already using alot of turf but with weekly refreshing lower than 7-7,5 just not possible

 

[Cooder]

Use Leaves, im not sure what leaves are suitable in your area, someone might be able to suggest, but they should leach tannins and help lower the ph. Same with Driftwood. Its not much but it will help

 

[chris1805]

thnx i already had that idea and will try that

 

[chris1805]

Well today i bought a new ramirezi male. I am planning to give my tank a big overhaul this summer if i have the money for it. Here is a photo of my ramirezi's and i think they look great