Keep in mind I'm new,....I need info.

[lovejonesx]

Ok I have an extra 29 gallon tank that has not had fish in it (well except for a lone pleco) for almost a full year now & I can't decide what I want to put in it. So when I received my February 2004 subscription of AQUARIUM FISH MAG. & they had the picture & article on the Cockatoo Cichlids, (Apistogramma Cacatuoides),....I'M KINNA IMPRESSED!!

Now since you guys are more learned on this species than I am,...could you fill me in on:


How many I can rationally have in a 29 gallon?

Where are some nice reliable places to order these from?

Is there anything else that I should consider with these Rams to make them more comfortable?

I am currently reading up on these fish before I make a move. But thank you in advance for any pertinent info!! 8)

 

[tjudy]

Plant the 29 and you should be able to keep a few. I would try a male and two females, along with some dither fish. I am not a purist and like platies. Others will sugest pencils and other tetras most likely.

Neil, the great guy who provides this excellent forum, also has some great fish for sale. Take a look at the price list on the home page and send him a PM.

Cockatoos are a good species to start with. So are borelli, and I think Neil has those too.

 

[Christine-FishGrrl]

I have a similar setup to yours. I have a 25long, planted, with Apisto cacatuoides and tetras. I used to have one male and three females but I guess it wasn't enough room and one female kept getting harassed, so she's hanging out in another tank. The tank is pretty heavily planted with three clay pot caves, oak leaves, and three good-sized pieces of driftwood. I have a school of 8 cardinals and hope to get a small school of blue tetras. Everybody is real happy although the male (wild-caught) is still getting used to the new digs and refuses to mate. :roll: Generally cacatuoides is not finicky about water hardness/pH although you should check out what your tap is.

 

[Neil]

lovejonesx,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Cacatuoides is an appropriate Dwarf Cichlid for you to start with. In a 29g. you should be able to safely house a trio, but many more might be pushing your luck. However, housing 2 pairs in this set-up may or may not result in problems for 1 male (or both a male and female), but may also be a very interesting view of even more behavioral characteristics of Apistogramma. If the tank is structured appropriately, both stocking strategies can work, depending on the individual personalities of the fish that you have.

You could also place a larger number of cacatuoides in this tank, but would loose alot of interesting behaviors and probably the ability to successfully breed them. By the way, rams and cacatuoides are different animals. Rams are Microgeophagus ramerizi, a different genus and species. But are similar in their behaviors and requirements: differing in their delicacy and breeding stategies from Apistogramma species.

Dithers can include any number of other types of fish. Many will work and some are better than others for different types of tanks and situations. Run a search (dithers, tankmates, etc.) on the forum to see some of the other possibilities, and what you may expect to encounter using them.

The article (haven't seen it yet myself) is by Mike Yamamoto, who is doing extensive selective breeding with the somewhat new Yellow/Gold cacatuoides and is producing fish without some of the drawbacks that can be associated with this particular aquarium strain color-morph. These fish are quite stunning. His fish are available through Apistogramma.com. There is also an article by Mike (similar to the AF publication) in the article section of this web site.

Neil

 

[elpacho]

Can these be kept in a 10 gal tank, or would that be pushing it??

 

[aspen]

most of the dwarf species are fine in smaller tanks, as long as the single male principle is adhered to, and number of multiple females are dependant on what species you pick.

apistos are cichlids, ie they are somewhat territorial and agressive fish. these behaviours can be tempered with the use of different types and numbers of dither fish, target fish, lots of cover and spawning sites. also, different individuals have a varying degree of agressive behaviour. experience is the best teacher, using caution as you go. always have a back-up plan in the form of a tank which particular nasty specimens can be moved to if things are not working atm.

hth, rick

 

[Neil]

elpacho,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

I agree with aspen. I regularly keep most apisto species in 10-15g tanks. But, I am careful with watching them, even after I have used other precautionary methods to reduce problems (good structure, dithers, etc). Cichlids are unpredictable!
Neil