Apistogrammas

[NinjaSmurf]

I've been checking out the apistogrammas because I've always liked cichlids and I wanted some that were a bit smaller and nicer then the ones I grew up around. I was thinking about getting some rams but now the opprtunity has come up that I might be able to get a hold on some of the other dwarfs. My question is are there any that would do well with the current members of my tank? (see sig and ignore guppies) I'm planning on putting some driftwood and plants in there once I get a new light and was wondering how many I could get once I have all that set up. I don't plan on breeding them at the moment so would it be okay to just get different kinds of males? I was on apistogramma.com and so far I liked the triplered, but are there any in particular that you would recomend for my tank? Thanks for any help!

 

[ryan]

I would worry that the Pictus may eat the smaller species, which are you getting? I would keep three with a ratio of one male to two females, I would also get two more Pictus Cats as they are a gregarious fish.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Once I get the driftwood and plants in there I'm going to keep guppies and fry in there for the pictus to eat. He doesn't bother the few guppies I have in there now and they are only about an inch long, he only goes after the smaller ones at the moment. If I have to I'll find him a new home with my brother. My other problem is that I can't really have the cichlids breeding because I have no where to go with them and I don't think the fish stores around here will take them. I don't know which ones I want to get yet, so far I like the triplered, Rio Mamore, Maulbruter, the red variant of Miua, and the Morado, but that's only based on pictures, and for the life of me I can't remember how many centimeters goes into a inch, so I'm feeling kinda foolish on that part!

 

[Grams]

well i wouldnt add apistos with guppy cause a 30g can hold up to 4 apistos or more and if you get a pair you apistos will terrorize those guppys

 

[semper fi]

2.54 cm = 1"

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Thanks Semper, I'd forget my head if it wasn't tied on! Would the apisto's eat the guppies or just kill them? Cause if they eat them thats okay, that's why I have them in there, I breed my own feeders. But if they're just going to kill them I'll move them to my other tank.

 

[semper fi]

they may eat the guppies. if they don't remove the dead carcasses as they will cause an increase in ammonia in your tank.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Okay, I'll keep my eye out then. So in all I could have four apisto's then? And it's okay if they are all males? (If by accident I get a female can the cross breed? I hope not!) The tanks is going to have a lot of hiding places for them, I've gone a little crazy with the driftwood. Is there anything else I should know? And do I absolutely need dither fish, or is it okay if they don't have any? By the way, thanks for all the help!