10 Gallon Tank

[AmazonFTW]

Later this Summer I may set up my 10 gallon Clearseal tank as a Rio Madeira Biotope (or Pike Cichlid setup that is biotope correct) as this is the area that contains Pygmy Cories and Apisto. Agassizi. I've read that Pygmy Cories can be kept in an 18x12x12" tank (the same as mine) and that it could house a 'large group' by large does this mean 6, 10, more?! I would soften the water using R.O in order to create a good habitat for the fish.

My plan if I can get this going is:
Fish:
6+x Pygmy Cories
2/3x Apisto Agassizii (1m 1f/1m 2f)

OR
Some type of pike cichlids and something compatible with them, ideas? (I've read some only get to 3", I was thinking to keep 1 or 2)

Plants:
A fair bit of Cabomba
Limnobium Laevigatum floating
Hardscape:
Tangly Driftwood
A small rock or two

How does this sound? What is the maximum number of Cories/Apistos/Pike Cichlids I could keep in this tank?

Thank You
AmazonFTW

(P.S I just posted this in the Tropical Discussion section but then had the pike cichlid thought)

 

[Wills]

Dont do the Pikes they get much bigger than apistos just smaller than the foot or some other pikes attain.

As well as all the Apistos species you have stuff like Laetacaras and some Nannacaras that would work in that tank.

For me I would go for a pair of Laetacaras, 5 Pygmy Cories and 5 Ember Tetras

Wills

 

[kizno1]

I wouldnt risk pikes in a 10G most get way to big or aggressive. Apistogramma Agassizii are a great fish and you should get away with a trio (1 male, 2 females) aslong as you have a few caves and places for them to hide. Not sure if they fit the biotope but Checkerboard cichlids would be another good option.

 

[AmazonFTW]

I was referring to Crenicichla compressiceps or one of the other smaller varieties but reading up they don't seem right so I appreciate the warning.

I've looked at Checkerboards and Laetacaras (kept dorsigera before too) and both seem great, so many choices . I want to be very biotope strict though so I'd base the other fish are the cichlids.

For me I would go for a pair of Laetacaras, 5 Pygmy Cories and 5 Ember Tetras

Sounds like a plan but I might swap out the Laetacaras for Checkerboards or a different sp. of Apisto for something different .

I guess I'll be doing more Biotope research, does anyone knowof a website where I can find every species and what river they come from? I found one a while back but stupidly never took a record of its address.

Thanks,
AmazonFTW

 

[kizno1]

I normally look on seriously fish for biotopes because you can just search a river or place and it will come up with all the fish it has regestered as found there
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/kb.php?t=ps&s=+Rio+Madeira+

Planet catfish if also a good place but obviously that will only show catfish

One of the best places ive found to do a biotope is Rio Tapajos its got a good range ot Tetras, Corys, Plecs, Apistos, Dwarf pikes and a load of other cichlids and cats.

 

[karin]

I would up the pygmy corys to 8-10. I had 5 in a 10 gallon once and they were hard to notice.

 

[AmazonFTW]

So I'm looking at:

3x Apisto. Agassizi/Checkboard Cichlids
10x Corydoras Pygmaeus

OR
2x Checkerboard Cichlids
5x Corydoras Pygmaeus
5x Ember Tetra

In my tank with 1/2 RO water, 1/2 tap water (pH7.4). Sand/Fine Gravel Substrate, Driftwood, Cabomba.

Does this plan sound good?

 

[kizno1]

Looks good to me, if you go for the Checkerboard cichlids i would be tempted to get 4+ and wait for a pair because apparently as long as you can provide a ph of about 6 (which with RO shouldnt be to hard) there fairly easy to breed and i dont think there would be any problems selling them on as long as you have room to grow them to about 1".

 

[AmazonFTW]

I have room to grow fry on if needed as I am getting a new tank this Sunday (no idea of size but I think it's around 10gallon) from a friend.

Hopefully this Summer I'll have it up and running. I've made a background for the 10gallon, will post it in a bit when I get some photos.

AmazonFTW

 

[Shovelman]

sorry for a hijack here, but i also have my 10 gallon that i made a post about just a couple topics down from this one. Will some of your suggestions for AmazonFTW also work for me?

 

[AmazonFTW]

Yeah, they should, Apistos and Checkerboards do better in <7pH and soft water though and to have long term success these conditions must be met. It depends on the footprint of your tank really. Mine is 18" wide, 12"high and deep. If yours is 12" wide and deep and 18" high then the suggestions may not work as there is, in effect, less area for territories and space to get away from each other.

AmazonFTW

EDIT: Forgot to say that cories require sand or fine(not sharp) gravel substrate or it can harm their barbels.

 

[Shovelman]

I'm pretty sure that mine is of the desired diment=sions as you stated, anyways thanks, and back to AmazonFTW's topics lol..