cacautoides tank mates, stop them breeding? (beginner)

[uberape]

I have currently housed a cacautoides pair in a 15g that i will transport to a 30 gallon and add another 2 females. My problem is that I have 2 synodontis lucipinnis (smaller petricola) catfish. I want to add them to the 30 gallon. I know they are from lake tangi.. and that the ph there is 8.... but they do not mind my 6.8ph at present but need a bigger tank. I want the apistos to breed (priority). I have noticed that the catfish bashfully barge there way into any apisto hidey hole, will this prevent breeding? The cat fish (same size as male apisto) do not bully or nip the apistos but the apistos get out of the way usually. Ok i dont want to hear "take the catfish back" but i need advice.........?????

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, your catfish will be a problem. They will eat the eggs/fry. The male will not really help the female guard them. 2 cats vs. 1 female = no fry. My suggestion is to just keep the cacatuoides pair in the 15 and use the tank for a breeding tank. Then go out and buy some nice Tanganyikan cichlids to go with your cats in the 30.

 

[uberape]

thanks Mr Wise,
I just gave away my catfish, never really fancied the lake tangy set up. I have put the cacau pair i think double red in with a sunburst(?) female and its going ok some huffing and puffing. I am determined to get a south american biotope and my middle space/top space is empty. its 29 gallon: 16 cardinal tetra, 3 cacautoides. I thought maybe 2 black angels or 2 discus or even an african butterfly fish (will cheat for this fish). If there are any advice- recommendations? , can cut back the tetras by 4 or so if need be. thanks