Multiple male apistos in quarantine tank

[curviceps]

Hi all

I am planning to add 3 male apistos (borellii, trifasciata, agassizii) to a planted tank all in one go so that there will not be any dominance issues to start with. To do that, I'd like to have them all in a quarantine tank at the same time (I only have one).

The quarantine tank is 61cm x 36cm (2' x 14").

I was going to use tank dividers so that each has about 20cm x 36cm. (Plan A)

Would appreciate any feedback if it would be ok for Plan B where all of them were in the tank without dividers.

Not sure if Plan A would cause stress due to being alone in small areas, or Plan B will result in a lot of fighting.

Cheers
Tim

 

[Linus_Cello]

I think Plan B is ok based on what Mike has suggested in the past on community tanks. Maybe start with Plan B and if you notice one male being overly aggressive than use the divider for that one?

 

[Mike Wise]

Just make sure you have plenty of hiding places. In quarantine tanks (and grow-out tanks) I put short pieces of PVC pipe all over the bottom and a piece of floating black plastic pipe (PBS or old black film canisters) in case someone get harassed too much.

 

[curviceps]

OK, thanks for the suggestions. Will start with Plan B and see how it goes; will get some hiding places and have the dividers ready.

Cheers
Tim

 

[curviceps]

Plan B didn't work out I think because I deviated from my plan. Was not able to find a trifasciata so instead ended up with a borelli, an agassizii "double red" and an agassizii "fire red", all males. The "double red" harassed the "fire red" in the quarantine tank (so dividers were used) and this continued in the main tank. Got along fine with the borelli (and an existing bolivian ram).

So, I took the "double red" out and put him in jail (ie back to quarantine tank). Will introducing him later after the "fire red" has really settled work, or should I give up and sell him? The "fire red" is now out and about unlike before.

 

[Ben Rhau]

Mike, what search terms can I use to find PBS pipe (or any floating pipe)? If I google it, I just find PVC and ABS.

Thanks

 

[Mike Wise]

I believe ABS is what you want. It's used for in-ground sprinkler systems.