Apistos...

[bogwood]

I am new to 'Cichlids' and currently researching Dwarf Cichlids as potential stock for a 20 UK Gallon... so far 'Apistos' are catching my eye... such as 'Agassiz's', 'Cockatoo' or 'Gephyra' Apistos...

...my PH is constant at '8'... my lfs PH is the same and they have a wide range of Cichlids that 'appear' happy and healthy... but I'm concerned as I have been told the PH - ideally - should be lower than this for these species...

...anyone keep Apistos at this higher PH level ok?...

...also... what are good tankmates for a pair of Apistos such as the ones mentioned above? Tetras?... Corys?...

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

The tank bred strains may do ok at your pH, but ultimately you need to get the pH down below 7 if you want to see them at there best (down to pH 5 to 6 for some of the species).

Certainly at your pH you won't get wild fish breeding (you may get small spawns with the tank strains of Apisto cacatuoides).

As to tank mates, pencil fish make good dithers (eg Nannostomus mortenthaleri) and I have whiptail cats in my tanks (both breeding and stock) as well.

Please bear in mind that the fish you see in the LFS will probably only be in there for a few weeks, in your tank though your starting to talk years in terms of lifespan so long term water conditions are important.

Regards

Andrew

 

[bogwood]

Hi there,

The tank bred strains may do ok at your pH, but ultimately you need to get the pH down below 7 if you want to see them at there best (down to pH 5 to 6 for some of the species).

Certainly at your pH you won't get wild fish breeding (you may get small spawns with the tank strains of Apisto cacatuoides).

As to tank mates, pencil fish make good dithers (eg Nannostomus mortenthaleri) and I have whiptail cats in my tanks (both breeding and stock) as well.

Please bear in mind that the fish you see in the LFS will probably only be in there for a few weeks, in your tank though your starting to talk years in terms of lifespan so long term water conditions are important.

Regards

Andrew

thanks Andrew... whats a 'dither' fish?...

 

[a.d.wood]

thanks Andrew... whats a 'dither' fish?...

Some apisto's can be a bit shy, a 'dither' fish is something else you would have swimmimg around the tank which then makes the apisto's think it's safe to come out (if the other fish are hiding then the apisto would assume it's not safe to come out).

Pencils work well as they stay active making the apsito's assume it's safe.

Andrew