Starting with Apistos

[georgedv]

I have been doing some of reading on Apistos. Quite a selection!!! I am going to get some literature soon and the suggestions made in this forum are more then ample. My question...for my first Apistos.....what do you suggest?

I have some 10 gals and 20 gals available for stocking. I prefer using the 10 gals so I can fit more of them on the rack.

I would like to try my hand at breeding them as well.

I still have few months before I am ready to buy some, so any suggestions on sources for good stock is also welcome.

thanks

g

 

[RHS788]

I would suggest cacatoides. That is how I am starting, and they seem to be among the easiest, good parents for rearing fry, eggs that don't fungus too easily, and the fish market a decent price. Mostly of all I like them because unless they are brooding, they actually like to come out and take a look at you.

I don't like fish that hide and you never see them.

Good luck. I have learned a great deal from this site, also simply go to ASK JEEVES and type the subject "breeding and raising cacatoides. You will find tons of info.

Good luck,

Randy

 

[georgedv]

Thanks randy. I like cacatoides too. Great colors and those that I have seen are lively.

g

 

[DirtyBlackSocks]

Most of the more commonly found species are pretty easy to take care of.

Borrelli, pandurini, cacatuoides, agassizzi and nijsseni are all good starting fish.

Note that the pandurini and nijsseni are a lot more aggressive then the others, though. Neither will tolerate other males in a tank if they're breeding, especially something as small as a 10 gallon and often the females will kill each other as well.

 

[georgedv]

I just ordered some cacatuoides, 5 males & 2 females are available as a package. I will put them in a 30gal for now w/lots of plants and lots of over turned pots.

I know the ratio of males to females is off. Hopefully they will not damage ech other too much. I have other tanks ready in case things go crazy.

If anybody has any secretes to share about raising & breeding cacs....I can use all help.

thanks


g

 

[RHS788]

Having any luck with the caca's? I am having some bad and good luck, I am attempting to raise some orange blaze, and some triple reds that almost appear as quads. I am still a newbie, but as I owe a lot to others if I can answer any questions, let me know.

 

[georgedv]

So far so good. Got 7 cacs from fishfarm, 5 males and 2 females. I wasn't going to get Apistos for some time, but when I saw his for sale list and elizas were on it...I had to get some....but I as I read on these beautiful fish, I realized it would be unfair to the fish...since I had no experience w/Apistos and elizas need some special care.

So I followed everyones advice and got the cac. I just have to go shopping when I am feeling down.

I removed most fish from two 29 gal tanks, stuck the males in one tank,(so far they seem to be working together. I do not see any pecking order forming) and the females in the other.

I feed frozen chopped mysis, some blood worms, and daphnie one day and flakes mixed w/frozen spiroulin the next.

Other then that all is quiet on the southern tank!

Thanks for you interest, I hope all is well on you end too.


g

 

[RHS788]

You won't go wrong with the cacas.

I like them because they actually come out and look at you instead of hiding like a lot of other fish.

I have two females and 1 male. The first female hatched about 20 fry, I pulled the fry and eventually lost them down to about 5. The second female had about 25, and I left her with them. There are about 20 now that are 6 weeks old (knock on wood). The first female has now a second batch of about 15 fry, and I am letting her and mother nature do their thing. The second female has about 30 eggs in a clay saucer cave. I don't want to "count my chickens before they are hatched" but I am finally having some luck. It is really neat to watch the young fry chase the mother, and the mother sucks the fry in her mouth, but from what I can tell, does not eat them. If I can help with advice I will share my beginner's luck, as a lot of folk have definitely helped me along the way.

Randy