Apistogramma Cacatuoides

[Flubberlump]

I've read a lot of mixed opinions about how safe it is to keep cacas with corys. I was planning to get a pair of them for my new 120 litre in a few weeks, but I already have corys. I've made loads of caves for them, and it'll be heavily planted. I'm not planning to condition them for breeding, but I certainly wouldn't be upset if they did breed apparently problems generally only occur when the apistos are spawning. I'd not heard about the potential problems when I decided to get some.

Can you share your personal experience with me? I'm unsure whether to get them now, but I'd still really like a pair of dwarf cichlids. Can anyone suggest something more suitable if cacas won't be? The other stocking will be tetras, kuhlis and lamp eye killies, so nothing I'd expect to cause any problems. Corys are so peaceful that I'd never have imagined them being a problem, I assumed that they'd stay out of the apistos' way if they showed any aggression whatsoever.

Thanks!

 

[NathanPrince]

Thing with cories are they are a bit dippy, they'll trundle into another fishes territory.. get a beating.. then wander straight back in again

I got corys in with my Rams and there's no problems there, but also just set up an Apisto species tank with 5 male Cacs in and I have 6 1inch long corys in with them and the Apistos haven't even noticed they are there (and these corys are crazy, always darting around bumping into stuff!)

It is only male Apistos I have in with them so no experience of aggression when spawning but I haven't had a single problem with a group of rams or apistos yet.


Hope that helps

 

[Proxo]

I have some young wild caught apistogramma nijsseni in with panda cory, aint had any problems here yet.
There's a little bit of aggression towards the cory every once and a while but normally only when the cory get too close, never seen one get nipped yet though.

 

[Flubberlump]

Ooo good, hopefully they might be ok then. I have albino and peppered corys. I'm hoping to get tank bred apistos too, which I've read aren't quite as touchy. Proxo, do you have a mixed sex group?

I know, corys are so sweet and friendly that they don't seem to understand aggression!

That does help, thanks.

 

[Proxo]

I have a male and female, if they pair up and breed i'll have to work something out

EDIT: okay so since posting on here my female nijsseni is constantly going for my cory, the male however doesn't take any notice to them.
Guess it's going to be luck of the draw on the fish itself, would explain the mixed views on people keeping them with cory.

 

[Flubberlump]

Typical! You must have jinxed yourself. Hmm. Yeah from what I've heard it's usually the females when they're spawning, getting ready to spawn, or raising fry. I'd really love a pair though.

Does anyone have any suggestions for something more suitable? I thought my water was all wrong for GBRs, but saw a beautiful pair in my LFS the other day. I have hard, alkaline water though.

Could the fact that it'll be heavily planted make any difference? There'll be plenty to break the apistos' view.

 

[Proxo]

What's your pH? Bolivian rams would work in a slightly harder water.

 

[Flubberlump]

My pH is around 8. I expect it'll go down slightly once I'm running co2 though. I was trying to decide between apistos and bolivians initially, but someone told me they can get quite big. The tank is 120litres so need to make sure they have enough room. I'll only be getting one pair of whichever I decide on though. I do really like bolivians though. Ahh decisions!

 

[Proxo]

Most people say 20g minimum tank size for a pair of bolivians, your 120L could work?
Personally i'd try the apistos

 

[Flubberlump]

Argh so hard to choose!

 

[Proxo]

Kribensis? Nice picture of them in my sig, they can get pretty aggressive during breeding though.
Let me know what you go with

 

[Flubberlump]

I will! Kribs are beautiful. The only reason I haven't really given them too much thought is because of their reputation when they're breeding.

I'm leaning back towards apistos again. Plenty of people keep them with corys with no trouble right? I'm sure that'll change again though! Ha!