help needed for apisto tank mates

[sheag35]

ok i am hoping to add fish to my apist tanks that will not be a threat to fry if/when they breed, what would people suggest as dither fish for apistos... all answers appreciated

 

[Bilbo]

I have been using the tiny flame and emerald eye rasbora recently just to see how they would go and neither tank of fry have had obvious losses. Oto's seem to work well too for cleanup fish.

 

[Mike Wise]

Many people here recommend pencilfish. You should avoid most schooling tetras like Cardinal and Rummy-nose Tetras. They are very effective fry predators.

 

[Apistomaster]

Nannostomus eques is a very popular dither species for many Apistogramma breeders. They eat very small foods and are mainly surface oriented.
They are also long lived. I have had specimens live six years.
The only drawback is that they are excellent jumpers and will find the smallest of opening in the cover to escape.
Marble Hatchetfish are also good but they are much more delicate and unlike the larger Silver Hatchetfish, they normally don't thrive unless they regularly receive some live food in their diet. Wingless Fruitflies are the ideal food but bbs will suffice if that is more convenient for you than culturing flies. They are also very prone to jumping out.

 

[sheag35]

thanks for the suggestions guys, like the little flames and pencils, must give them a go... any problems forseen with corys in the tanks??

 

[Mike Wise]

Corys are bottom-dwelling fish just like apistos. They will eat eggs/fry if they reach them and the female is almost powerless to stop these little armored tanks. About the only vulnerable part on a cory is the eye, which apistos are known to attack and tear out. I don't recommend corys or any other bottom-dwell fish in an apisto breeding tank.

 

[sheag35]

Corys are bottom-dwelling fish just like apistos. They will eat eggs/fry if they reach them and the female is almost powerless to stop these little armored tanks. About the only vulnerable part on a cory is the eye, which apistos are known to attack and tear out. I don't recommend corys or any other bottom-dwell fish in an apisto breeding tank.

thanks Mike I'll remove the corys then