New Apistogramma Cacatuoides Tank

[Basha312]

I have ordered a pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides from Apisto Dave and am hoping to receive them soon. I am going to put them in a planted 10-gal aquarium, and was wondering if you guys think it would be too crowded in there with 3 Cardinal Tetras? Thanks!

 

[YoungClayB]

Nah. Should be fine. Your caca's will stay near the bottom and the cards will fly high. Some folks will say that cards require a bigger tank, but I'll leave that up to you.

 

[Mike Wise]

I would think of having a minimum of 5 Cardinals. This is a schooling species and feel best when grouped together. I'm guessing that you don't plan to actively breed your A. cacatuoides with Cardinals in there.

 

[Basha312]

I was considering it, if the I notice the eggs are present should I put the Cardinals in my other tank? Sorry for the newbness these will be my first Apistos.
I will for sure keep checking at my LFS for some more Cardinals (I bought the last 3 they had).

 

[Mike Wise]

If you do a search for "cardinal tetra" here you'll find that it isn't recommended for apisto breeding tanks. This species comes from true blackwater biotopes where there are very few small organisms to eat. Because of this, they know how to pick off small fry. Most experienced apisto breeders (including me) usually recommend pencilfish for breeding tanks. A 10 is a bit small for breeding A. cacatuoides, but certainly is possible. Just keep an eye out for excessive aggression by the male before the pair spawn - and the female after the pair spawn. Be ready to remove the fish picked on quickly or you could easily lose it.

 

[Basha312]

Thanks for the advice! (It is much needed). I will be sure to move the Cardinals out of there before any spawning occurs.

 

[Boltons1]

Thanks for the advice! (It is much needed). I will be sure to move the Cardinals out of there before any spawning occurs.

I believe Mike was meaning the male and female cacatuoides after spawning rather than the cardinals - in your size tank the male may be kicked away from brood care by an over protective mother and therefore could become very stressed. It won't end well for either of them, in my experience cacs have been amazing parents and raised fry together, peacefully - but that has been in larger tanks.

 

[Basha312]

I will be sure to monitor their behavior closely. I already moved the Cardinals and they seem much happier in my 55 gallon!

 

[Basha312]

Almost two weeks in and they are starting to look really good!

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Almost two weeks in and they are starting to look really good!

Certainly does, in fact looks like she has already spawned.

cheers Darrel

 

[kaitlyn19]

Hey all, could you check out my post in the breeding section and help me out if you have a sec Thanks. Im trying to breed these guys too

 

[Basha312]

Here is a video of the parents with fry