Need clarification on Ivanacara adoketa behavior and water requirement

[apisto2024]

Hi!

Ive seen lots of videos of this species (I. adoketa) with tank mates. Some calling it a peaceful species except during spawning. I have a few questions regarding this species:

1. Do tank-raised fishes (several times removed from wild ancestors) require soft water e.g. they will die when kept in Los Angeles-hard tap water?
2. Regarding aggression:
a. Are they aggressive/territorial 24/7? e.g. will kill any other dwarf cichlid even if they arent spawning?
b. Are they aggressive/territorial only when they put on breeding color even if they havent spawned yet?
c. Are they aggressive only when they have spawned / laid eggs?
3. Assuming they are kept in regular and hard tap water, will they even put on breeding colors or attempt to spawn?


Thank you!

 

[Apistoguy52]

1) no. They’ll be fine
2) maybe…kinda depends on the temperament of the fish you get.
3) if you can throw enough good food at them, probably.

I’ve had fish that were absolute murder wagons, not even the tetras were safe, I’ve also had fish that were somewhat pleasant with Apistogramma stowaways that were in the same tank. Flip a coin? Cross your fingers? Still a really fantastic fish either way

 

[MacZ]

1. Do tank-raised fishes (several times removed from wild ancestors) require soft water e.g. they will die when kept in Los Angeles-hard tap water?

They will not die from the water dircetly, but softwater species have a strong tendency to being weak and prone to bacterial infections in hard water. Sometimes sudden onset kidney failure happens in really hard water (20°GH+).

 

[illumnae]

You will also not likely be able to successfully breed them as it seems to me that their eggs are unviable in hard/high ph water conditions. This is my anecdotal experience and not scientifically proven though.

 

[MacZ]

You will also not likely be able to successfully breed them as it seems to me that their eggs are unviable in hard/high ph water conditions. This is my anecdotal experience and not scientifically proven though.

It is scientifically proven. I'll post something next week if I remember it.

 

[illumnae]

It is scientifically proven. I'll post something next week if I remember it.

I'm glad my observations are consistent with science