Breeding apistogrammas (cacatuoides)

[snytiger_92]

I have a question that might be somewhat naive, but here goes...

• why do most people suggest a bare bottom tank for breeding?
• what must I do to breed in a well-planted aquarium?

I would think that breeding should easily be facilitated in an environment that is like the natural one for the fish. If fish are able to successfully spawn in the wild, then why should we not try to replicate the 'wild' instead of a 'weird' environment for the fish?

Could someone please explain?

Thanks!
DP

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

Only my discus breeding tanks are intentionally bare bottom, the reason for that is that it makes it a lot easier to keep them clean.

All my Apisto's are in sand/bogwood/planted tanks and breeding.

Have to admit that I have not come across bare bottom apisto tanks yet, but can understand if bare bottom tanks are used as fry grow on tanks, pure and simply as water maintenance is much easier.

Andrew

 

[Z Man]

When I was running 80 tanks with mostly apistogramma species they were all bare bottom. With that many tanks it would be impossible to keep them clean enough for a spawning enviorment. So much easier to clean a tank when there is no gravel or sand to deal with.

 

[cdawson]

All of my fry and breeding tanks have a very thin layer of sand along the bottom in order to give that added security to the fish and still allow easy cleaning access, as well as a base for beneficial bacteria to grow on.

 

[snytiger_92]

Thanks guys. I don't really care about raising apistos to sell; however, it would just be cool to see the parental behavior in action that I've read so much about.