Hello from Western Australia

[Dkelly97]

Hi everyone, I have recently set up my first Apistogramma tank, it is stocked with as many geographically correct plants as I could get my hands on and a number of small community fish. Neon tetras, harlequin rasbora’s, peppered corydoras and Otocinclus. I have 4 A. Cacatuoides (I bought them under the label double red however the male is definitely an orange) and currently only 1 A. Borellii Opal ( I had 3 but they all turned out to be males so I returned the smaller 2 as they were just getting picked on.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome! May we see pictures?

 

[Dkelly97]

Welcome! May we see pictures?

Yes, certainly. As you can see some of my plants haven’t been planted yet as I only got them recently and I’m thinking to replace some of the rocks I have in there for more driftwood with the purpose of creating more caves for the apisto’s my Borellii Opal male is pretty camera shy but I have a picture of my Cacatuoides male

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Yes, certainly. As you can see some of my plants haven’t been planted yet as I only got them recently and I’m thinking to replace some of the rocks I have in there for more driftwood with the purpose of creating more caves for the apisto’s my Borellii Opal male is pretty camera shy but I have a picture of my Cacatuoides male

You just need a lot more plants and structure.

I wouldn't worry too much about provenance, I use Bolbitis heudelotii, Cryptocoryne spp., Ceratopteris spp. various mosses etc. Basically plants that will grow in soft low nutrient water with low light. I also always have a floating plant, but I don't know which are <"available to you in Australia">.

Have a look at <"https://dwarfcichlid.com/apistogramma-and-dwarf-cichlid-aquarium-care/">

Can you get any structural leaf litter? Large dead leaves from a Protea, Evergreen Magnolia, Indian Almond, Loquat etc.

cheers Darrel

 

[Dkelly97]

Hi all,

You just need a lot more plants and structure.

I wouldn't worry too much about provenance, I use Bolbitis heudelotii, Cryptocoryne spp., Ceratopteris spp. various mosses etc. Basically plants that will grow in soft low nutrient water with low light. I also always have a floating plant, but I don't know which are <"available to you in Australia">.

Have a look at <"https://dwarfcichlid.com/apistogramma-and-dwarf-cichlid-aquarium-care/">

Can you get any structural leaf litter? Large dead leaves from a Protea, Evergreen Magnolia, Indian Almond, Loquat etc.

cheers Darrel

There’s 6 half coconut shells, 3 clay urns and 2 pleco style breeding caves. I have 12 Anubias, 4 water sprite, 12 Java fern, 3 Bolbitis ferns, 6 jungle Val, 12 various crypts, and 4 ceratopteris. I have stocked the tank with a 2 dozen magnolia leaves, 3 Indian almond leaves and some other native botanicals. There are about 12 pieces of driftwood in there and a number of rocks.

 

[anewbie]

This is my 10 if that helps (or hurts):