Apistogramma Cacatuoides

[Discuslove]

Has anyone kept this fish before?? or any of the apistogramma species. Have read a lot on them but the internet is not always the same as talking to someone about it. So how have people bred them? how was the tank setup? Anything on them.
Any opinions or advice wanted.

 

[DrRob]

Not cacatuoides, but agassizi aren't all that dissimilar to breed. They're cave breeders, so you'll do well with something like coconut shell caves. Either a pair or a hareem with 1m2f does well. Then you're on the usual with conditioning and such like.
 
There was a breeding journal on here a while back. I'll have a hunt.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/370323-apistogramma-cacatuoides-breeding-project/

 

[Discuslove]

Not cacatuoides, but agassizi aren't all that dissimilar to breed. They're cave breeders, so you'll do well with something like coconut shell caves. Either a pair or a hareem with 1m2f does well. Then you're on the usual with conditioning and such like.
 
There was a breeding journal on here a while back. I'll have a hunt.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/370323-apistogramma-cacatuoides-breeding-project/

 
will they only breed if the tank has a fair bit of cover? because apparently they don't like the tanks bright. Does it have to have to have tannins in the water?

 

[DrRob]

They like the conditions right. Soft water (lowish conductivity) much like discus do, I'm sure they'd love tannins but I'm not convinced that it's entirely necessary, can't comment too far as I easy sources of tannins from the wood pile. If you take a look at the link you'll see a very open tank with caves to give proper cover.

 

[Discuslove]

They like the conditions right. Soft water (lowish conductivity) much like discus do, I'm sure they'd love tannins but I'm not convinced that it's entirely necessary, can't comment too far as I easy sources of tannins from the wood pile. If you take a look at the link you'll see a very open tank with caves to give proper cover.

 
Do they have to have ph around 6 or is a stable ph better that isn't necessarily in their range.

 

[saz326]

I had apisto cacutoides "super red" in my amazon biotope for 3 + years but sadly never saw any breeding behaviours.
 
I had 1 male to 2 females originally but the second female became stressed. oddly not from the male being agressive, but the other female harassing her all the time. I would suggest a minimum of 3 females to 1 male. I would go for as much floor area as possible so other floor dwelling fish like cories may be best removed.
 
They looked more at ease and displayed full colour better in a slightly overgrown well planted tank with peat filtration soft water (mixed RO and tap water in my area) and occasional live food such as brine shrimp. 
 
Edit: I forgot to put they dont seem to like their tank mates to be too energetic. Stick to slower moving, mid or top level  shoalers if poss. 

 

[Discuslove]

Ive added sphagnum moss to the filter and some in the tank and it is now tanning up nicely and hopefully the ph is dropping slightly, (will test it tomorrow) waiting for the plants to grow in more and looking out for some floating plants. Is there anything else i need to do to prepare for them?