Apistos And Rams Together In A 20ukg...

[bogwood]

Can I keep a single pair of either 'Apistogramma Cacatuoides' (Cockatoo Apisto) or 'Apistogramma Agassizii' (Agassiz's Apisto) with a single pair of 'Mikrogeophagus ramirezi' (Blue Rams) in a heavily planted 20UK Gallon?...

... are 'pairs' a good idea or should the ratio be '1M to 2 Female'?...

For caves... personally I don't like the idea of flower pots... can half cocunut shells be placed in the tank as caves... or will they break down/go mouldy over time...

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

For this size tank you're going to have to choose between the Apisto's and the Ram's.

You just don't have enough space in there to comfortably give both a pair of Apisto's and a pair of Ram's sufficient territorial space.

Best bet is 1 pair (1m/1f), maybe 6 pencil fish (Nannostomus spp) and if you're not interested in breeding the dwarves then maybe 4 corydoras. If you do want to breed the dwarves then ditch the corydoras and get a couple of whiptails instead.

My standard breeding tanks for the Apisto's are 18"Lx18"Dx15"T (~80 litres), these have a sand substrate, potted amazon sword, bog wood and coconut caves (no reason why you can't use clay pots though). These house the breeding pair of Apisto's, up to 5 Nannostomus mortenthaleri and a couple of whiptails, spawns average 50 to 80 fish which after approx 6 to 8 weeks are moved to growing on tanks.

Why limit yourself to Apisto cacatuoides or Apist agasizzii, there are a whole host of other Apisto species available in the UK??

Andrew

 

[bogwood]

Hi there,

For this size tank you're going to have to choose between the Apisto's and the Ram's. You just don't have enough space in there to comfortably give both a pair of Apisto's and a pair of Ram's sufficient territorial space.

Fair enough...

Best bet is 1 pair (1m/1f), maybe 6 pencil fish (Nannostomus spp) and if you're not interested in breeding the dwarves then maybe 4 corydoras. If you do want to breed the dwarves then ditch the corydoras and get a couple of whiptails instead.

Is this because the Corys will eat the eggs?...

Why limit yourself to Apisto cacatuoides or Apist agasizzii, there are a whole host of other Apisto species available in the UK??

From the limited research I have done up to this point, I was under the impression that these two species were good 'beginner' fish... which is what I am 'Cichlid' wise... I'm open to other 'beginner' species though... what do you recommend?...

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

Corydoras may not be able to get the eggs/fry from a protective female but the harrasment levels will certainly reduce the survival rate of the fry.

What do you want from Apisto's > breeding or show. Certainly with breeding the Apisto cacatuoides my experience has been > take a pair > add water > fry turn up, it was as easy as that. On the other hand I've never had any luck with Apisto agasizzii breeding.

If you are after breeding, then your water conditions will be critical for just about all of the different species. Once you have the right water then just about any of the species are open to you. My own favourites are Apisto bitaeniata and Apisto panduro (although this has been known to change depending what's in the fish house!!!).

Where are you in the UK??. A visit to a couple of fish houses that specialise in the Apisto's might just help with setting up your tank.

Andrew

 

[bogwood]

Hi there,

Corydoras may not be able to get the eggs/fry from a protective female but the harrasment levels will certainly reduce the survival rate of the fry.

What do you want from Apisto's > breeding or show. Certainly with breeding the Apisto cacatuoides my experience has been > take a pair > add water > fry turn up, it was as easy as that. On the other hand I've never had any luck with Apisto agasizzii breeding.

If you are after breeding, then your water conditions will be critical for just about all of the different species. Once you have the right water then just about any of the species are open to you. My own favourites are Apisto bitaeniata and Apisto panduro (although this has been known to change depending what's in the fish house!!!).

Where are you in the UK??. A visit to a couple of fish houses that specialise in the Apisto's might just help with setting up your tank.

Andrew

I really just want to enjoy looking at them... any fry would be a bonus (and a completely new set of problems no doubt!)...

I'm in Berkshire... my lfs is either Maidenhead Aquatics in Henley or Twyford...

(all this is theory though, until I find a way - currently researching - to lower my PH... constant at '8.5'... it's hard as hell round here)...