Return to fish keeping.. and New apistos

[steph]

HI Folks

After several years of travel and then babies (human ones) Im returning to fish keeping and Apisto's in particular.

I have ordered 2 pairs of A. baenschi, used to be A. sp. Inka I believe, that my LFS is importing at the moment and am planning to keep these in a 4ft tank (4' x 14" x 16")

This is only the second time this species has been brought into Australia so I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these fish.

Also Im wondering if I could get another pair of Apisto's in that tank. Perhaps some A. borelli or A. eremnopyge or am I pushing my luck on floor space ?

Other inhabitants at the moment are 5 Black Neons, 3 Siamese algae eaters and a lone M. altispinosa. There is a Green Severum there at the moment but he is going before the Apistos arrive

The tank has several pieces of wood work and rocks and a fair amount of java fern and crypts planted throughout so has quite a few territories setup.

Cheers

Steph

 

[ayckorea]

After several years of travel and then babies (human ones) Im returning to fish keeping and Apisto's in particular.

...Cool...:tongue:
...I am also a newbie here and just keep Apistos for a few months.

I have ordered 2 pairs of A. baenschi, used to be A. sp. Inka I believe, that my LFS is importing at the moment and am planning to keep these in a 4ft tank (4' x 14" x 16")

...Do you know where are they come from?

This is only the second time this species has been brought into Australia so I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these fish.

...I heard that some has been imported to Australia from HK. And more and more species have been appeared in Sydney.

...I think the male is quite aggressive especially in a small tank. Mine fought his lady and made her ill and die.

Also Im wondering if I could get another pair of Apisto's in that tank. Perhaps some A. borelli or A. eremnopyge or am I pushing my luck on floor space ?

...I know many people keep alot of Apistos in the same tank and getting peaceful even the tank is lesser than yours.

Other inhabitants at the moment are 5 Black Neons, 3 Siamese algae eaters and a lone M. altispinosa. There is a Green Severum there at the moment but he is going before the Apistos arrive

...You may have a little problem if you want to breed the Apistos.

The tank has several pieces of wood work and rocks and a fair amount of java fern and crypts planted throughout so has quite a few territories setup.

...Have a sake go mate! Geting more Apistos and good luck!:tongue:

 

[Greg PL]

the best company for your apistos are other apistos, preferably of the same species
A. baenschi is not a big species and as far as I heard not a very aggressive one. try 4-5 males and 5-8 females and you'll be happy to observe their social behaviour and brood care. you may add some surface dwellers as hatchet or pencilfish.
make sure there's enough shelters for every fish and the zones in the fishtank are divided.

 

[Apistt_ed]

I agree with Greg on whether or not to add more apistos to the tank. If you'd like to add more apistos, keep with the same species. In the case of A. baenschi, I have come to find out that they do pair off better from a group of young fish rather then if you just purchased a pair and hoped they spawned. If they are juvenile fish, get 2-3males and 4-5 females and let them naturally pair off to create the strongest pair bonds. Once they do pair off, take the existing members, take them out of the tank and into another tank (of an eager friend if possible!!). A. baenschi are fairly not as aggressive as other species I've kept, but as a rule of thumb, keep them in a well planted tank with a peat moss filtered water and you're fish will do fine! In less densely planted tanks, they tend to be very shy like most apistos. best of luck! john