Elizas, Bitas or... easier others?

[peterK]

Hi all

I'm going to buy small group of Apistos for my 40 gal. 1 m long tank.
Water parameters: pH ca. 6,2; KH <1; GH 4. Temp. 27 degrees C.
Water softened by orthophosphorus acid, oak leaves, peat granules.

Can I keep group of 6 (2males+4females), or 4 (1m+3f) of Elizabethae, Bitaeniata, Mendezi or T. candidi? Another suggestions?
How much are they in Germany (not only wild-caught fish)?

Greetings,
Piotr

 

[Mike Wise]

I recommend that you only keep 2 species of 1m & 2f. Most of your species require softer & more acid water for sucessful breeding, however.

 

[peterK]

Hi Mike

You write 'most', so, wich species from my list are better for my tank?

Greetings,
Piotr

 

[Mike Wise]

A. mendezi & T. candidi. With your water conditions you might be successful with A. bitaenata, too, but not A. elizabethae.

 

[peterK]

Thanks much, Mike.

I think that the answer will be 'no', but what about A. paucisquamis?

Greetings,
Piotr

 

[Mike Wise]

You are correct. Being smaller than the others, most breeders of A. paucisquamis consider it best kept in a species tank. They need water similar to A. elizabethae.

 

[peterK]

Thx Mike,

I think that I will choose T. candidi or if I'll meet them - A. mendezi.

What about 2-3 males & 3-4 females???

Greetings,
Piotr

 

[peterK]

Hi all

My newest ideas: A. sp. Miua or sp. Mouthbrooder?
Where does the first ones come from? How big they can get?

Greetings,
Piotr

 

[Mike Wise]

A. sp. Miuá comes from the upper Rio Negro around São Gabriel. This is an extreme blackwater species. I requires a pH below 6 just to keep from catching diseases! Spawning usually occurs only at pH values <4.5! It grows to a good size - over 7.5 cm/3" for the male & 6 cm/2¼" for the female. It is very rare in the hobby.

 

[peterK]

A. sp. Miuá comes from the upper Rio Negro around São Gabriel. This is an extreme blackwater species. I requires a pH below 6 just to keep from catching diseases! Spawning usually occurs only at pH values <4.5! It grows to a good size - over 7.5 cm/3" for the male & 6 cm/2¼" for the female. It is very rare in the hobby.

O.K., I understand

But what about A. sp. Mouthbrooder???
I think for my tank max one male+3 females, but I need your opinion.

Greetings,
Piotr

 

[Mike Wise]

A. sp. Mouthbrooder can get aggressive, but should be OK in your 40.