Help Breeding A. nijsseni

[JDogg]

Ok I have actually had this topic running for a while on another forum...if you want to read the whole thing it is HERE

I will quickly run down a review of what has happened so far to save you the need to read the above thread

Species: Apistogramma nijsseni

Tank Particulars: 10 gallon Planted tank, Eco-Complete Substrate, DIY CO2, one Easter Island Head Cave and one Home made Terra Cotta Cave ("top" end sealed with piece of slate, "bottom" hole cut slightly bigger).

Tank Params:
PH= 6.4 (down form Tap at 8.0 using RO water)
KH= 5 degrees
GH= 8 degrees
Ammonia/Nitrite=0
Nitrate = 30 ppm
Temp = 78 F

Diet: NLS Community Formula, Tetra Color Bits, Frozen Bloodworms/brine shrimp and live glass worms.

I do weekly 25% pwc with RO to lower the PH a little at a time and I couple that with a temp drop to ~74 and bring it slowly back to ~78 (I was told that this simulates rain in the Amazon and can help put them in the mood)

And now of course some pictures

I have been doing this for over a month now, I am a patent person, but still any advice you can give would be great!

Thanks

 

[Mike Wise]

I doubt that you will have much success until the pH drops below 6.0 & the GH is < 4 & KH<2.

 

[ed seeley]

Totally concur with Mike.

I bred mine in pure RO water with a little RO right to give 0dKH and 3dGH. pH was 5.5 and there was a little peat in the filter.

 

[JDogg]

oviously i can not drain the tank and re-fill it with ro, how fast do you think i can lower it safely? in 25 pwc intervals? 1 per day, 1 per 2 days?

can i do larger pwc with RO? 50%? 75%?

 

[ed seeley]

If you do 25% water changes you will change a lower percentage of the original tap water every week and it will take a lot longer to get down to low GH/KH levels. A 50% WC should be ok as long as your water isn't dead hard at the moment. I wouldn't add anything to remineralise as your water is already harder than you want in the end. Test GH and KH after each WC.
NB. I'd check your GH and KH again before you do the WC to make doubly sure too!

A 50% WC with pure RO should halve your GH and KH in one fell swoop. If you then test again and they aren't low enough give it a week and then another 50% WC should halve them again.
25% WCs will drop them by a quarter each water change which will take longer to get to the levels you're after.

 

[Wampa]

My first sucess was in water with pH 6,5 and KH 11. But eggs was eat.
http://forum.apistogramma.com/showthread.php?t=5906

From Yestarday I have second spawn in another tank but only for pair of Apisto. The conditions of water are same. I hope that female dont eat spawn again.

 

[Mike Wise]

The fish will lay eggs in any water, but few will develop unless the water is soft and acid. The eggs that do not develop will die and then be eaten.

 

[JDogg]

i did do a 50% pwc with RO over the weekend, will post results later, but should be half of previous.

 

[Wampa]

The fish will lay eggs in any water, but few will develop unless the water is soft and acid. The eggs that do not develop will die and then be eaten.

It is news for me. I must change water pH and KH. Thanks for advice.