My new pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides Orange Flash juveniles

[davidjp1982]

Just picked this pair up this week male looks a bit thin and pale and wouldn't eat for a few days but have slowly got him to accept bloodworm and now BBS so hope to get him into condition soon

 

[Psycho74]

He's a nice colour, & she looks ready to breed. Do you have a few caves in the tank?

 

[davidjp1982]

Yes she's colouring up nicely after feeding BBS - lots of activity between the pair and yes I have 2 coconut caves although the male has taken up an area around the filter / under a blanket of floating plants as his favourite spot.

 

[davidjp1982]

Some more photos of the female:

 

[davidjp1982]

And do you think he really looks a good colour? To me he seems very washed out and pale with no definite lateral line. A lot paler than other Orange Flash that I have seen.

 

[Psycho74]

He may colour up a little more when he becomes more settled. I have a trio of triple reds.

 

[davidjp1982]

He may colour up a little more when he becomes more settled. I have a trio of triple reds.

That's what I am hoping - it's only his third day in the tank - really glad to see him going nuts over the BBS - was really worried when he wouldn't eat.

 

[Psycho74]

Is your water soft? I add an Indian almond leaf from time to time.
Have found in particular the male sometimes goes off bloodworms as he spits them out, and then the next day he'll gobble them up!

 

[davidjp1982]

Tap water is slightly hard here - always struggled to get PH to drop under 7.2.

I have about 15 alder cones and 5 oak leaves in at present (15 gallons).