Apistogramma Query

[leighton_87]

Will a pair of apistogrammas be fine in a 125 litre tank with a Bolivian Ram?

If so which apistogrammas will be fine in a pair. I know some prefer pairs and some trios/hareems so which would be fine in a pair?

 

[leighton_87]

Anyone?

 

[DrRob]

Depends a lot on your other stocking and tank conditions. Most apistos are bottom dwellers, as is the Ram. If it's a single ram, in the right conditions, with some cover, you'll probably be fine.
 
Most are fine in a pair, they generally live in malawi type overstocked situations in the wild, but it's not a condition that most of us try in aquariums

 

[liamhuckle]

I had a trio of apisto agassizzi flamr red in a 100 l no problem but as the rams i woukdnt know

 

[leighton_87]

Depends a lot on your other stocking and tank conditions. Most apistos are bottom dwellers, as is the Ram. If it's a single ram, in the right conditions, with some cover, you'll probably be fine.
 
Most are fine in a pair, they generally live in malawi type overstocked situations in the wild, but it's not a condition that most of us try in aquariums

Thanks for the reply.

The stocking is in my signature but is 5 black ruby barbs - 7 yellow phantom tetras - 1 dwarf gourami - 1 Bolivian Ram

So the only other 'bottom dweller' I have is a single Bolivian ram

The tank is planted(but in no means heavily planted) and the bottom is split into distinct territories by 2 large and 4 small pieces of driftwood. I will upload a photo later if that will help.

 

[liamhuckle]

Sounds good my trio i had two coconut caves one at each end of the tank and a female claimed one each as there terratory and the male just went between the two

 

[Electric Warrior]

Hmm, I think that the apistos will be fine, it's the ram I would be more worried about. I have a pair of apisto cacs in my 200l and they pretty much try and dominate the whole bottom of he tank! When they are spawning, they can get pretty nasty, especially the female. A single ram might get bullied. If that dies happen, a bullied ram is pretty guaranteed to not last too long. Just keep an eye on it. Mt female apisto will go after an angel 10x bigger than her, with absolutely no hesitation, and the angel will run! They are pretty docile for cichlids, except when spawning! I also started off with a trio, but the other female got so bullied by this one, she died. I left them as a pair.

 

[leighton_87]

Hmm, I think that the apistos will be fine, it's the ram I would be more worried about. I have a pair of apisto cacs in my 200l and they pretty much try and dominate the whole bottom of he tank! When they are spawning, they can get pretty nasty, especially the female. A single ram might get bullied. If that dies happen, a bullied ram is pretty guaranteed to not last too long. Just keep an eye on it. Mt female apisto will go after an angel 10x bigger than her, with absolutely no hesitation, and the angel will run! They are pretty docile for cichlids, except when spawning! I also started off with a trio, but the other female got so bullied by this one, she died. I left them as a pair.

These are my concerns to be honest.

I'm not worried about having apistos in my tank it's how my single ram would do with them.

Does anyone have experience of keeping them together?

 

[leighton_87]

If it helps at all a picture of my tank can be seen here - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/415324-125l-community-tank-evolution/#entry3495618

 

[Electric Warrior]

What about just getting a couple of female Bolivians? I am assuming you have a male? They are beautiful fish and I think they go better with others rather than single?

 

[leighton_87]

What about just getting a couple of female Bolivians? I am assuming you have a male? They are beautiful fish and I think they go better with others rather than single?

That may be my best bet (I was told it was a male but I don't know as they seem pretty difficult to sex)

I think they are fine on there own but may be better in a pair/trio. They are not a shoaling species so don't need to be with others and I worry that if I do end up with another male they will fight and I'm not sure whether just putting a female in there guarantees a pair and whether they may fight (see pairing Angela for example).

Plus, I just really love apistogramma - too many fish too few tanks :'(

 

[snowflake311]

I have a Bolivian ram with 2 apisto not a pair.  they all get along fine. BUT the tank is an 80gal well planted. So they all have space. giving them space and lots of decoration and places to hide is key.  one pair of apisto would be fine with on ram. as long as the tank is set up right. with lots of decoration.