thinking of keeping apistogramma for first time....

[gurds]

hi guys im new to the whole idea of keeping and breeding apistogramma so im just wondering what i need to do to keep them and what are the easy types to keep.

cheers gurds

 

[gurds]

cmon someone must be able to help

 

[gingerbeer]

Gurds,

In Brisbane if you can buy it - you can breed it. Commonly avaiable are Cacatoides, agasizie, boreli - all great starters. Also look for N anomala as a great learner fish.

You will find some others - bitaeniata, panduro - that are a bit harder but not that hard. (Also some elizabethie may be coming - but have been for over a month now).

The real stuff is in Sydney and I may be getting a box of fish up before xmas for myself if you are interested.

For local discussion of dwarfs go here http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=30

Also please be patient - there are few dwarfers around in the world and not heaps in the world either. Take your time and read the posts here or on the page I posted and you will find out heaps - than you can ask more specific questions. I am on most boards you are on localy under the same name - so dorp me a pm or email and I am happy to talk more.

Steve

 

[curviceps]

Gurds, you should check out the dward cichlids section of Discus Forums (http://discusforums.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=30) for local Australian discussion on Apistos and other dwarfs.

As for easy types to keep, I guess examples would be cacs, aggies and borellis. These don't need super soft water. If you want to breed them, best to keep them in a species tank with either a pair or trios (male with two females), depending on size of tank. Bare bottom with sponge filters. Keep some dither fish with them. Give them some caves and hiding places.

 

[gurds]

thx guys also thanks for the link.

 

[tleehm]

Hey Steve,

Hate to disappoint you but the elizabethae has proven to be one heck of a problem in keeping them alive and well (even for F1).

I'm now back to square one - raising a new (relatively) pair in a grow out tank and hopefully there maybe some better news early next year.

Hi Gurds,

Welcome to the world of apisto.
Steve is absolutely correct about the small number of interest in Oz as you've probably already worked out that the local market is dominated by African rift lake cichlids.

As Steve mentioned about the box at Christmas - I'm likely to be the person packing it for him. Since it's November already, if there's anything you wish to piggy back with Steve's shipment feel free to ask as it will take time to organise (I may need to source certain items from LFS).

Cheers,
Thomas.