Shishita biotope

[Gillie]

I'd like to put biotope together for my bitaeniata, but so far I can only find N. marginatus are found in the same river. What other available fish might occur with them?

 

[Mike Wise]

I suggest (again) that everyone interested read TomC's article on collecting in the Rio Shishita.

 

[Gillie]

I've read it, it is informative as to what othe cichlids are found there along with pictures of those beautiful little characins that will most likely not grace the tanks of my local shops in my lifetime. I'd like to keep just the bitaeniata, marginatus, a small tetra school and a few cories. The tetras pictured in the article were not named so I am in the dark there along with a cory species.

 

[themountain]

On the photo were Pyrrhulina sp. and I guess Loreto Tetras....I have to check it again.

 

[Mike Wise]

Corys are almost never found with apistos in the same biotope. If you want a true biotope tank, then leave them out. Otherwise add something you like. Personally, I much prefer the eunotus-complex fish, A. cf. eunotus (Shishita), to the A. bitaeniata morphs there. It is a massive fish; the males have long trailing tips on the dorsal/anal fins, deep sky blue body, and the females show a double caudal spot. Very unusual. Of course, it's not imported.