Ditherfish for Blackwater apisto breeding?

[starforsaken]

What kinds of fish would be able to handle the crazy low pH of black water apistos?

 

[Mike Wise]

Pencilfish & hatchetfishes inhabit the same biotopes as blackwater apistos.

 

[cdawson]

I'm curious of this myself, what species are able to tolerate lower than 6? It's my understanding that most pencils typically only tolerate 6.0 at the lowest. The three and one-striped can tolerate lower, but they're also more difficult to come by. Marble hatchetfish can go to about 5, and I've read the common silver hatchet fish can go to 5 as well.

 

[cootwarm]

I've had beckfordi pencilfish, marbled hatchetfish, cardinal tetras, glowlight tetras and oto cats before in 4.5 pH.

Michael

 

[cootwarm]

I've also kept Harlequin Rasboras at 4.5 pH. I'm not positive, but I believe this is an Asian fish though.

Michael

 

[cdawson]

I've had beckfordi pencilfish, marbled hatchetfish, cardinal tetras, glowlight tetras and oto cats before in 4.5 pH.

Michael

I imagine they would be ok short term, but for the long haul that wouldn't be ideal for the health of the fish. Like I said though marbled hatchetfish can tolerate below 5, not sure about glowlights though.

 

[Mike Wise]

Fish that inhabit the same biotope must live in the same water values. Most water values for species mentioned in hobby literature are those in which they have been found to successfully live & breed in captivity. Often these are higher values (since they are easier to maintain) than the actual everyday values. I have kept many species of pencilfish in tanks with blackwater apistos & had them breed in them, too.