Considering A. Panduro or Agassizii

[HookedOnFish_MI]

Hello, I was hoping to get some thoughts on keeping a pair of one of these species in a 15 gallon aquarium (24”x12.5”x12.5”). If appropriately scaped, is the tank sufficient in size?

I’d also like to note that my ph is 7.5 from the tap. I would have drift wood, leaf litter and peat in the filter to help, but not sure how stable it would be with each water change. Spawning would be a bonus, but not a deal-breaker.

Finally, do you have recommendations on a schoaling/schooling dither fish?

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

I’m also open to suggestions of other species of Apistogramma…but would like to avoid the very common A. Cacatuoides.

 

[Mike Wise]

A proven breeding pair of A. panduro can peacefully co-habit a 15. If not compatible, one will die. The pH is a bit extreme for either species. Instead, I'd recommend A. borellii.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

A proven breeding pair of A. panduro can peacefully co-habit a 15. If not compatible, one will die. The pH is a bit extreme for either species. Instead, I'd recommend A. borellii.

Thank you very much for this information. I’ll look into A. borellii.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

A proven breeding pair of A. panduro can peacefully co-habit a 15. If not compatible, one will die. The pH is a bit extreme for either species. Instead, I'd recommend A. borellii.

@Mike Wise do you think a A. macmasteri pair could also work for my setup?

 

[MacZ]

A. macmasteri grow significantly larger than A. borellii. They'd need more space. I'd only do it if you have a second / 3rd etc. tank running to move one fish to at any given time.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

A. macmasteri grow significantly larger than A. borellii. They'd need more space. I'd only do it if you have a second / 3rd etc. tank running to move one fish to at any given time.

Got it, thank you very much for this info!

 

[Apistoguy52]

Got it, thank you very much for this info!

I don’t think that I would agree that there is a significant difference in size, mature males I’ve kept both kinda seemed to top out shy of 3” iirc. IMO it isn’t the size, it’s the level of aggression that probably disqualifies the macs, borellii are just that much friendlier.

 

[anewbie]

I don’t think that I would agree that there is a significant difference in size, mature males I’ve kept both kinda seemed to top out shy of 3” iirc. IMO it isn’t the size, it’s the level of aggression that probably disqualifies the macs, borellii are just that much friendlier.

I thought macs were quasi-pair forming so once they accept each other there is less aggression between male/female.... someone told me their female borelli killed their male in a 15 (while she was guarding frys).

 

[Apistoguy52]

I thought macs were quasi-pair forming so once they accept each other there is less aggression between male/female.... someone told me their female borelli killed their male in a 15 (while she was guarding frys).

No idea. All I know is that a 15 didn’t offer enough space for a retreat with the macmasteri species I’ve kept. With borellii, I was able to keep two pairs in the same 15 without incident. Perhaps I was just lucky

 

[anewbie]

No idea. All I know is that a 15 didn’t offer enough space for a retreat with the macmasteri species I’ve kept. With borellii, I was able to keep two pairs in the same 15 without incident. Perhaps I was just lucky

Not disagreeing a 15 is too small for mac just due to size of the fish. I think borelli is sort of a your mile kind of hting as some females are pretty passive and others are more fire cracker oriented. I know a lot of folks keep them in 15 without issue jsut reporting what someone told me (someone who is generally reliable). Given their background i presume it was well scaped but who knows.

 

[MacZ]

I don’t think that I would agree that there is a significant difference in size, mature males I’ve kept both kinda seemed to top out shy of 3” iirc. IMO it isn’t the size, it’s the level of aggression that probably disqualifies the macs, borellii are just that much friendlier.

I have rarely seen a A. borellii surpass 7cm, but I have seen 10cm A. macmasteri regularly.
But anyhow, the aggression level is really worlds inbetween.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

I picked up my male and female A. borellii yesterday. Any idea at what size they can begin to spawn? The female is about 1”, with the male a little larger.

 

[Apistoguy52]

I picked up my male and female A. borellii yesterday. Any idea at what size they can begin to spawn? The female is about 1”, with the male a little larger.

View attachment 12504

Spawn…borellii are crazy….they’ll make babies (not many) at 1/2”

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

Spawn…borellii are crazy….they’ll make babies (not many) at 1/2”

Oh wow, thanks for the info!

 

[anewbie]

Male is probably not yet mature. They get quite a bit larger.