Apistos

[smb7676]

Hey
I have a pair of Apisto's . They are supposed to be m&f but they were small when I bought them. I think the the are infact m & f though at times I thought I got 2 m. So here is my ques. The little buggers started "Fighting" today and I caught them a few times locking lips. My "male" seems to of gotton his lip a little bit hurt. But still took dinner and he isn't hiding, so I'm going with he is fine. They only reason I think they are trying to spawn not fight is every now and then one gives the other a fishy tail slap. But how long does it take for them to decide to spawn or move on ? Its really upsetting my shark who until things reved up today has been a shy happy shark. But today if the apisto's started getting real rowdy he would split them up and chase the female for a bit. How long should I let this go on ? No one seems to be being hurt!! But we all know what a little stress can do UGH

 

[isu_guy]

bump, because I'd like to know as well.

 

[smb7676]

Bump . Anyone out there I really would like to know what I should do

 

[Cian McLiam]

Swishing tails is a mating ritual, lip locking can be either aggressive or courting behaviour. If they are getting ready to spawn then you should be able to tell male from female. The female will be smaller (usually much smaller) and will be turning bright yellow, usually with compact fins and a small tail. The male will have perhaps more colour, larger mouth, larger fins depending on the species.

Apistos are easy to sex usually, even when young so a reputable dealer should have given you a pair if he sold them as a pair.

Your main concern is the shark, if its a silver or bala shark then he should e moved out as they are timid (very timid when kept alone) and will not like it in there one bit.

 

[pnyklr3]

Sigh, well Cian, you beat me to it again! Yes, the lip-locking is not a spawning ritual. It looks more like tail flicks and shimmies. What size is the tank? Is there enough hiding room for the more timid of the apistos?

 

[smb7676]

Hey guys
Its a 20 US tank. There are places to hide. And things have been just fine. The LFS said they sold me m/f and they are a good store. The shark is a roseline and I tried to get him a friend before I got the apistos but he wasn't happy about it. I'm not home right now but before I left the apistos were still acting up but I did see them in the same flower pot for a bit but no eggs I guessing this would not happen if it were m/m fighting. But how long can this mating thing go on? Days, weeks? Its making me crazy. I want happy fish. I am ok with hor**y fish but not mad stressed fish. Thanks