breeding nijssenni

[martin day]

hi im looking for some advice about nijssenni i have brought a pair
and the male is being very aggressive the tank theyre in is a 40 gal so theres plenty of room and hideing places for the female i was hopeing they might breed one day but the way hes being im not sure about it now
could i have some tips from anyone who`s had they joy of breeding them
thanks
martin

 

[Mike Wise]

You don't mention how long this "pair" of A. nijsseni have been together or what other species are in your tank. It would be helpful to know.

A. nijsseni is a blackwater species that requires soft and acid (~5.5 pH) to successfully breed. Unlike most other apistogrammas, A. nijsseni - and other species in the nijsseni-group - develop a pair bond more like open substrate breeding cichlids before spawning. Sometimes a male will simply not accept a certain female or visa versa. Usually a pair will eventually bond if given enough time and one doesn't kill the other.