Stocking a 12 gallon tank

[Thotta]

Hi, I have a 12 gallon planted tank, it has very many plants, some driftwood and flower pots. I would like to stock it with an Apistogramma pair, however, I do not know which species I should go with, I can choose from the following:
Apistogramma viejita
Apistogramma cacatuoides
Apistogramma agassizii
I know that a 12 gallon is a bit too small but I have heard that it will be fine if it has a lot of plants that break the line of sight for the fish, is this true?

 

[Drayden Farci]

They are all more or less fine but A. agassizi stay a little smaller than A. cacatuoides. I'd also recommend A. borelli - they are a smaller, shy species.

 

[chris1805]

To me personally it would be to small. The smallest tank i would go for is a 60x30x30cm tank. Maybe Apistogramma borellii are a better choice.

 

[Thotta]

Thnx! Would it be advisable to have dither fish? Nannostomus?

 

[Drayden Farci]

I always recommend dithers but others don't. I like having more fish swimming around. Nannostomus are great and won't be a threat to your fry.

 

[Bart Hazes]

I keep a pair of Apistogramma allpahuayo in a standard 10 gallon tank with Nannostomus marilynae as ditherfish. A. allpahuayo is a very close relative of A. cacatuoides and similar size. Like others I do prefer 15 gallon and larger tanks but this pair needed temporary housing and started to breed, so I've kept them in that smaller tank.