Hi everyone!
A few months ago I "inherited" a pair of apisto cacatuoides along with a secondhand tank I bought.
I was only really after a starter tank for my first tropical fish since childhood so a 12 gallon "Aquaone nano 40" seemed a good option with its built in multistage filter.
I had never really considered apistos as was just looking at starter fish but I'm really happy with the way things have worked out.
I was told they were quite young, but over the last couple of months they have really come on.
The male is quite dominant towards the female, and will chase her away regularly, or she will "submit" by angling onto her side.
Is this related to mating behaviour?
She goes quite yellow/golden in colour, but doesn't really seem to have a prefered "cave" despite a few options.
Since picking them up I've added 4 peaceful otocinclus for algae control. After a couple of days the apistos settled to there new tank mates well, only occasionally giving chase.
Just today I've added 8 neon tetras. To try and stop the male being so aggressive with the female, and distract him a little. Seems to be going well, a little chasing but nothing major. I've noticed both male and female looking brighter and "showing off" a little more to which is positive.
I've attached some photos to see what you think of them. The male in particular looks incredible. I had never heard of these incredible little fish and I'm so pleased that I accidentally discovered them!
Torison
A few months ago I "inherited" a pair of apisto cacatuoides along with a secondhand tank I bought.
I was only really after a starter tank for my first tropical fish since childhood so a 12 gallon "Aquaone nano 40" seemed a good option with its built in multistage filter.
I had never really considered apistos as was just looking at starter fish but I'm really happy with the way things have worked out.
I was told they were quite young, but over the last couple of months they have really come on.
The male is quite dominant towards the female, and will chase her away regularly, or she will "submit" by angling onto her side.
Is this related to mating behaviour?
She goes quite yellow/golden in colour, but doesn't really seem to have a prefered "cave" despite a few options.
Since picking them up I've added 4 peaceful otocinclus for algae control. After a couple of days the apistos settled to there new tank mates well, only occasionally giving chase.
Just today I've added 8 neon tetras. To try and stop the male being so aggressive with the female, and distract him a little. Seems to be going well, a little chasing but nothing major. I've noticed both male and female looking brighter and "showing off" a little more to which is positive.
I've attached some photos to see what you think of them. The male in particular looks incredible. I had never heard of these incredible little fish and I'm so pleased that I accidentally discovered them!
Torison