need info

[naggur]

I got my self nannacara adoketa but dont have on Idea about them, so as much info I get the better.

all from tank size to tank mates, from set up to spawning. and most of all how big will they get?

and if I can have N. anomala with them in a 2 ft tank. (20gal)

 

[Mike Wise]

Here is my experience with Ivanacara adoketa. I got 4 specimens about 3 years ago - 2 males & 2 females. I put them in a 20 gallon long tank (75x30x30 cm) that was well decorated with clumps of Java Moss and rocks & roots. There were plenty of hiding places. Two of the fish formed a bonded pair and immediately killed the extra female. I had to remove the larger (not paired) male or he would have been killed, too. I put this male in a smaller tank next to the pair's tank. They could easily see each other. The threat displays across the "glass divide" was amazing to see. The pair now live alone in a 20 long among leaf litter, flowerpots, & rock caves. The water is pure R/O filtered through peat. The pH is usually around 5, no hardness, & <40µ/cm @ 26ºC/79ºF. They are fed mostly frozen and live foods (Grindal worms) with some flakes and pellets. I have seen the pair court each other over and over, but I have never seen eggs or fry. The pair are now about 3½ years old. The male is close to 10 cm/4" total length; female around 7.5 cm/3" total length. I doubt that I could put anything in their tank that would survive with this pair (unless it was built like a tank or big enough to eat them:biggrin. I doubt very much that N. anomala would survive.

Others have had much better luck than me, but all seem to have started with a larger number of fish. The fish seem to be perfectly bonded or there is a problem getting them to breed.

 

[Apistomaster]

Mike,
I would think their age is now the limiting factor if they have not spawned yet.
I have never kept this species but I have bred Nannacara anomala too many times to count. I would buy them in large quantities when I owned a fish shop. This was back when they were really common and they only cost $0.20 each in 50 lots. The females would spawn in every crevice of the sales tank and woe be to the males. I think N. anomala would spawn in a plastic bag if they were ready. Nannacara anomala should be bred alone and I would remove the male as those tiny females often kill the male if she can corner him.
Doesn't sound like adoketa are nearly as easily bred.

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, N. anomala is a very different fish from Ivanacara adoketa in every respect. Agression is similar to brooding females of N. anomala, but with I. adoketa you have the same agressiveness from both members in a bonded pair. Structurally and behaviorally, Ivanacara is more similar to Laetacara species than Nannacara species.

 

[naggur]

so you are saying that I should not put any other cichlid in the tank lie ap. mac or even another female like anomala couse she can be killed. I've been lookin at the pair and noticing that the male is pounding the female and she is turning more yellowish than she was and the male got more green pearl dots on him incluting blue and redish shade on the chin. is that normal breading coulur on them or is it just how they are?

tell you the truth I really would like to know if the get more aggresive towards other tank mates like tetras and the guramis

 

[naggur]

so you are saying that I should not put any other cichlid in the tank like ap. mac or even another female like anomala couse she can be killed. I've been lookin at the pair and noticing that the male is pounding the female and she is turning more yellowish than she was and the male got more green pearl dots on him incluting blue and redish shade on the chin. is that normal breading coulur on them or is it just how they are?

tell you the truth I really would like to know if the get more aggresive towards other tank mates like tetras and the guramis

 

[Mike Wise]

May experience is in a tank 75 cm long. At that size the pair tried to kill any other cichlid in the tank. Smaller non-cichlid species might be ignored, but I haven't tried them. I always kept another cichlid in the tank next to their tank. They could see the cichlid & would try to attack it through the side glass. This stopped most of the aggression between the pair.