New here

[Sheadoobie]

Hi, big fan of apistos and this is a pair of red shoulder Macmasteri I have in my 10 gallon planted tank. Looking to set up a biotope for them and try my hand at breeding. Lots of info on this site. Thanks for indulging me.

 

[Mike Wise]

Welcome. I see no one else has replied, so I will. I don't know your experience in the hobby nor the number of tanks that you have. I will only say that a 10 is rather small for breeding most apistos, especially larger species like your domestic strain of macmasteri. As for a biotope for apistos. Also one needs to think about how to grow out the fry when they get to many/large for a small breeding tank. As for a biotope tank for your apistos, I personally think you wouldn't like it if you saw the actual biotope. It is nothing like your lovely planted tank.

 

[Sheadoobie]

Welcome. I see no one else has replied, so I will. I don't know your experience in the hobby nor the number of tanks that you have. I will only say that a 10 is rather small for breeding most apistos, especially larger species like your domestic strain of macmasteri. As for a biotope for apistos. Also one needs to think about how to grow out the fry when they get to many/large for a small breeding tank. As for a biotope tank for your apistos, I personally think you wouldn't like it if you saw the actual biotope. It is nothing like your lovely planted tank.

Thanks. I’m looking at a minimum of 20 gallon or more tanks for the breeder. I just got back into the hobby recently and had 4 tanks going but just tore one down. Here is a picture of an Asian biotope I recently set up for betta imbellis. This will be the sorority for a couple of females. Next project the males tank. The other planted tank is a 20 long with mostly epiphytes

 

[haveagoodtime]

Beautiful fish! Your tank looks great. Good luck with the breeding project.

 

[MacZ]

Have to agree with Mike about tank sizes. For a small breeding operation, I'd always recommend having at least two tanks, though three would be optimal. That way you can separate the parents if you need to put reproduction on hold (usually after every second successfuls spawn until the fry reach sale size) and of course for growout.

I like the asian biotope. With more wood structures, especially with the lines of sight broken this would fit many dwarf cichlids as well.

Are you only matching the looks or also the water?

 

[Sheadoobie]

Have to agree with Mike about tank sizes. For a small breeding operation, I'd always recommend having at least two tanks, though three would be optimal. That way you can separate the parents if you need to put reproduction on hold (usually after every second successfuls spawn until the fry reach sale size) and of course for growout.

I like the asian biotope. With more wood structures, especially with the lines of sight broken this would fit many dwarf cichlids as well.

Are you only matching the looks or also the water?

On the biotope? Both. It is a 5 gallon shallow so aquascaping was limited as I need to cover the tank. Bettas are great jumpers.

 

[Sheadoobie]

Welcome. I see no one else has replied, so I will. I don't know your experience in the hobby nor the number of tanks that you have. I will only say that a 10 is rather small for breeding most apistos, especially larger species like your domestic strain of macmasteri. As for a biotope for apistos. Also one needs to think about how to grow out the fry when they get to many/large for a small breeding tank. As for a biotope tank for your apistos, I personally think you wouldn't like it if you saw the actual biotope. It is nothing like your lovely planted tank.

Thanks. Check out the biotope I set up for bettas down below

 

[MacZ]

It is a 5 gallon shallow so aquascaping was limited as I need to cover the tank. Bettas are great jumpers.

I thought so, my point was simply that there is not much difference.