Mixing species

[Munroco]

Have ordered a 48*12*15 tank. Its going to be fairly heavily planted. Wondering if I could keep 2 or more pairs/trios. The choice I have is A Panduro, A MacMasteri, A Caucatoides (red) and what my LFS calls Apistogramma sp. viejeta. What options do I have (preferably ones that don't involve them slaughtering each other)

 

[chris1805]

We don't recommend mixing any dwarf cichlids especially apisto's in my opinion. But if you decided to do it anyway, don't take the panduro... They are real monsters

 

[Munroco]

We don't recommend mixing any dwarf cichlids especially apisto's in my opinion. But if you decided to do it anyway, don't take the panduro... They are real monsters

OK Thanks you for that. It's a bit disappointing as they were the ones I found most attractive. What about single species, would I be limited to one pair?

 

[chris1805]

for the panduro yes, they do pair bonding. So you could start of with 1 male and 2 females, check which ones form the pair and sell the other female.

 

[Mike Wise]

I think Chris is being a bit conservative, but it is best to be safe. Mixing species or numbers of the same species really depends on how the tank is divided into territories. In a largish tank, like yours, it is possible to mix A. panduro pairs or a pair of A. panduro with a species that looks different but it won't be easy. You will probably lose some fish. I don't personally like mixing species for breeding purposes, but in a properly decorated community tank it is possible for species to co-exist. I usually suggest setting up all male communities and 1 species only breeding tanks.

 

[Munroco]

Thanks for the replies guys. I was planning an apisto only tank, but in view of your opinions I may go down a different route.