Tank mates for A. panduro.

[MaestroCygni]

Hi, I'm looking for (biotope correct) tankmates for A. panduro. The tank will be 60x45x35 cm (about 24x18x14").
I had thought of Nannostomus marginatus, because they're beautiful, but I've heard stories of panduros butchering them during the breeding season. Is there any fish that A. panduro won't hurt during the breeding season?

 

[Mike Wise]

My experience with A. panduro is that they are very protective of their brood territory (in your case, probably the entire tank) - particularly from other bottom dwellers. I've not had problems with faster, more surface-dwelling fish that can avoid their attacks. Your dwarf pencil fish should be able to avoid the apistos if they have some plants to dart into.

 

[MaestroCygni]

. Your dwarf pencil fish should be able to avoid the apistos if they have some plants to dart into.

That's the problem.... Biotope correct means no aquatic plants, at all.

The only picture I have been able to find with aquatic vegetation, is a picture of the Rio Ucayali, with Limnobium laevegatum, and it was posted on an aquarium related site, with no source. Even if it was real, I'd prefer going for Rio Tahuayo, as it's true blackwater, while Ucayali is whitewater, as far as I know.

I've already asked TomC whether he found any vegetation in the Rio Tahuayo, and the answer was no.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

That's the problem.... Biotope correct means no aquatic plants, at all.

The only picture I have been able to find with aquatic vegetation, is a picture of the Rio Ucayali, with Limnobium laevegatum, and it was posted on an aquarium related site, with no source. Even if it was real, I'd prefer going for Rio Tahuayo, as it's true blackwater, while Ucayali is whitewater, as far as I know.

I've already asked TomC whether he found any vegetation in the Rio Tahuayo, and the answer was no.

There are images of a Rio Ucayali varzea flood-plain floating meadows in <"Gymnotus ucamara: A new species.....">

There are also pictures in <"Collecting in the Rio Tahuayo...">, which show plenty of plants in the water, although they aren't strictly aquatic plants. These are the collection localities for A. panduro.

and this is the collection locality for A. norberti

I would definitely add a floating plant, Pistia stratiotes would be fine.

cheers Darrel