what for my new project?

[tom prakash]

I have a 24x15x15 tank with lots of litter and wood. I want to breed apisto I have had cacs and aggies before and want something different.

 

[regani]

Well, the tank is big enough for all apistos. What is your water like (GH, KH, pH)? This may limit the species selection somewhat. Otherwise it may depend on what is locally available or can be shipped easily. Where are you based?

 

[tom prakash]

The water is quite hard around here in Birmingham but have an easy source of ro

 

[tom prakash]

Was thinking trifasciata or elizabethae?

 

[regani]

The elizabethae will require really soft and acidic water to do well, especially if you want to breed them. The trifasciata are less demanding, they readily bred for me in water with 250uS and pH 6

 

[tom prakash]

Thinking trifasciata then would a pair and some dithers be ok or should I go a trio.

 

[regani]

Depending on the layout of the decorations and shelters in the tank you could try two females and a male but a single pair would probably be the safer option.
With the choice of dithers/target fish you will have to make sure they aren't eating the fry. Most pencil fish are a safe option, most tetras aren't. Green neon tetras seem to work if you want tetras. Catfish in general won't be good.

 

[tom prakash]

I was thinking of pencilfish but didnt think of Green neons?

 

[Linus_Cello]

Another dither option, hatchet fish.

 

[tom prakash]

Was thinking of going open top so hatchets may be out

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
"Was thinking of going open top so hatchets may be out" I think Hatchets are definitely out (of the tank that is). All the Pencil fish I've kept have tended to jump as well. Often the fish are fine until they start spawning, and then sub-dominant males and un-receptive females are at particular risk.

cheers Darrel

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
"Thinking trifasciata then would a pair and some dithers be ok or should I go a trio." With trifasciata I would get as many females as you have room for, as the males are strongly polygamous and really harass un-receptive females. Also if you have fry the males fight with each other from quite a young age, so you need more space to grow them out, even though they are a small Apistogramma species.

cheers Darrel

 

[tom prakash]

Was going to use my aquaray tile above the tank to light it and grow emergent plants

 

[tom prakash]

Thanks darrel. I think I could have a trio but will see once tank is built and aquascaped. I have other tanks for growing on fry.

 

[tom prakash]

Went to tropical waters today and have decided that I may go for Bitaeniata as they had a lovely orange form in but the build isnt ready yet.

 

[tom prakash]

Ive just tested my tapwater. Its 6.5ph but gh is 180 and kh is 140. Is this going to mess up my plans