How much space does A. trifasciata need?

[Joshaeus]

Hi everyone! LONG time no post. I have a pair of Apistogramma trifasciata, currently isolated between two five gallon tanks...I had this in retrospect lousy idea to try spawning them in another five gallon, and all they did was squabble. I have recently set up a fifteen gallon - 24 by 12 by 12 inches, my largest tank at the moment - and was wondering whether that would be big enough to keep and spawn this pair or whether I should just try to rehome them. Thanks

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

.... I have a pair of Apistogramma trifasciata, currently isolated between two five gallon tanks...I had this in retrospect lousy idea to try spawning them in another five gallon, and all they did was squabble.

Welcome back, as you've found they are quite aggressive.

I have recently set up a fifteen gallon - 24 by 12 by 12 inches, my largest tank at the moment - and was wondering whether that would be big enough to keep and spawn this pair

Depends, it isn't really big enough, but if it was basically full of structure it might be OK,and I mean really full (like below) so that "line of sight" is never more than a few inches

If I kept them again I would try a male and three females in a 48 inch tank, but there would still be a "growing out the fry issue", because the males are homicidal from an early age.

or whether I should just try to rehome them. Thanks

Probably the best bet.

Cheers Darrel

 

[Joshaeus]

Hi all,

Welcome back, as you've found they are quite aggressive.

Depends, it isn't really big enough, but if it was basically full of structure it might be OK,and I mean really full (like below) so that "line of sight" is never more than a few inches

View attachment 17930
If I kept them again I would try a male and three females in a 48 inch tank, but there would still be a "growing out the fry issue", because the males are homicidal from an early age.

Probably the best bet.

Cheers Darrel

Well then...I guess I'll be rehoming them. Not what I wanted to do, but oh well...thanks.

 

[anewbie]

They are one of the more aggressive species in regards to m/f squabbles. For a 15 borelli will work as well as pucallpaensis (wetspot as a few wc ones); i highly recommend pucallpaensis you can read about them here:

Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis the T-Bar Cichlid

Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis is closely related to the Apistogrammas. They are attractive, uncommon, often aggressive, and demanding.

dwarfcichlid.com

I've found them to not be as aggressive as the author and have kept them in 10s before.

 

[Joshaeus]

Aside from apistogrammas, are there any other dwarf cichlids that would work in a 15? I have an RO unit AND have a nearby LFS that sells RODI water, so I can finagle with water parameters if I have to.

 

[anewbie]

Enigmatochromis lucanusi might work - it is a west african fish that prefers very soft water. I have a pair in the 10 which is a bit small for them - but the pair i ahve never squabbled much - but others have said they will fight like cat and dogs. I personally believe they need a larger aquarium but the wc ones i own have been very laid back.
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there are some interesting beta species that are off the beaten track - most will require blackwater - i haven't actually owned any of htem so no first hand comments. Like wise gourami - again some very interesting blackwater species that are smaller but they seem a bit more fragile and i would recommend a larger aquarium if for no other reason water stability.

I've kept rams in a 10 - most strongly suggest something a bit larger but they did fine in a 10 they were young domestic lousy parents but didn't squabble much - they much prefer the ro water i gave them though they require warmer temps. I kept them at 82.

I'm mixed about the e. lucanusi - i really feel they shoudl have a larger aquarium but they seem to work ok in the smaller environment. They are #2 on my list to move to a larger aquarium if somehting opens up. I did not feel this way about the rams they were much smaller and seem quit content in the smaller cage.

 

[Joshaeus]

Enigmatochromis lucanusi might work - it is a west african fish that prefers very soft water. I have a pair in the 10 which is a bit small for them - but the pair i ahve never squabbled much - but others have said they will fight like cat and dogs. I personally believe they need a larger aquarium but the wc ones i own have been very laid back.
-
there are some interesting beta species that are off the beaten track - most will require blackwater - i haven't actually owned any of htem so no first hand comments. Like wise gourami - again some very interesting blackwater species that are smaller but they seem a bit more fragile and i would recommend a larger aquarium if for no other reason water stability.

I've kept rams in a 10 - most strongly suggest something a bit larger but they did fine in a 10 they were young domestic lousy parents but didn't squabble much - they much prefer the ro water i gave them though they require warmer temps. I kept them at 82.

I'm mixed about the e. lucanusi - i really feel they shoudl have a larger aquarium but they seem to work ok in the smaller environment. They are #2 on my list to move to a larger aquarium if somehting opens up. I did not feel this way about the rams they were much smaller and seem quit content in the smaller cage.

View attachment 17931

I have a pair of E. lucanusi in a ten! They squabbled a lot at first but get along quite well now...currently trying to get them to spawn.

 

[KenL]

Is E. lucanusi a fish that used to go by another name? Looks very like a “krib” in that picture.

 

[anewbie]

Is E. lucanusi a fish that used to go by another name? Looks very like a “krib” in that picture.

Nope - here is a krib:

 

[KenL]

Nope - here is a krib:

View attachment 17933

Hmm, that does look like P. pulcher to me.

 

[KenL]

This is a male krib.

 

[MacZ]

@KenL The genus Pelvicachromis has about a dozen species and another dozen closer related genera. They all have visual similarities. Krib is used colloquially for all of them.

 

[Mike Wise]

Is E. lucanusi a fish that used to go by another name? Looks very like a “krib” in that picture.

They were originally called Pevicachromis sp. aff. roloffi Blue Fin when introduced in the hobby.