cf eunotus "orangenschwanz"

[titch1984]

Hi, im about to take hold of some Apistogramma cf eunotus "orangenschwanz" and would like some hints and tips about keeping and breeding them successfully, i believe my water to be around pH 6.5 and quite acidic. Also i have been keeping a pair of Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis and would like some tips. Mine have went through, the female showing her breeding colours, to her hammering him, to the other way about and then they both seem skitterish whenever i approach the tank, but i have never found any spawn

 

[Mike Wise]

First pH 6.5 is not "quite acidic"; it is only 'slightly acidic'. Still 6.5 is quite acceptable for this species as long as the hardness isn't too extreme (unlikely if you can get pH 6.5 with regular water changes). Orangeschwanz doesn't require extremely soft or acidic water; just good food, decent water values (which you probably have), good tank maintenance, and a properly decorated aquarium. The same can be said for Apistogrammoides, too. The main problem is that the fry are extremely small and require something smaller than baby brine shrimp (too large) for the first few days. BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

[slimbolen99]

My a. eunotus 'orangeshwanz' always spawned in a HORIZONTALLY laid clay flower pot, that had been cut in half. I experimented with several cave definitions, and found this is the type they preferred. It may be different from what your fish wanted, but that was what I found was successful. Live California blood worms seemed to get them into condition. Check the weather, and if you see a storm front moving in, change the water with a little cooler water, with lower pH, about 8 hours before a storm hits. I could always predict eggs would be forthcoming that way.

You'll notice when eggs have been laid, as the female will change from a somewhat drab yellow/grey color to an absolutely BRILLIANT yellow. Trust me, you'll know the first time. I always left the parents with the fry until the fry had been free swimming for at least 10 days...and then I would steal some using a siphon. If you don't have any other fish in the tank, and only one pair, you could probably let them parent raise for a long time. Adding an absolute TON of oak leaves, piled 1/2 way full of your tank is a good way to produce a fair amount of fry and keep the aggression down between the male and female.

Best of luck!
Bb

 

[titch1984]

thanks, and glad to be here, maybe il learn a few things like knowing the difference between slightly and quite acidic (doh!), i know im quite lucky in having good water from the tap where i live (scotland). im waiting till autumn to collect some leaves. Should i boil the leaves first to remove to some tannins? iv heard about baromic pressure having an effect on breeding fish, but did not know about effecting apistos! i receive my fish tomorrow morning, so il let you's know how i get on..... i canny wait!!!!

 

[tompoz]

Do not boil the leaves! Tannis are what you want for more acidic water and some BW coloring.

 

[titch1984]

thanks, just need to wait now!!!

 

[titch1984]

i got them yesterday, i little bigger than what i thought, but still too small for the main tank just now. Has anyone got a decent photo of them, i cant seem to find a decent one on t'net.

 

[Mike Wise]

See: http://www.rva.ne.jp/zukan/apisto/ap_cf_eunotus_pelu.html

 

[titch1984]

Thanks Mike, they,re not the most beautifully coloured of apistos, but they,re still look cracking wee fish though! cheers again