Biotodoma Cupido

[Waterloo Kid]

I'm about to get my hands on a threesome of these fish and I'm doing a bit of research. Problem is that the info I've found is rather contradictory. Some say keep with larger fish. Others say they can be kept with tetras.
I'd be grateful for any experiences you guys have.

WK

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

Very peaceful fish, I have 7 adults (4 to 5.5") in a 48"x24"x24" (1 female and 6 males, I also have 2 pairs in separate tanks).

In with them I have a breeding group of Apistogramma sp Morado (4 female, 3 male). Currently at least a dozen juvenile apisto's in there (from at least 2 of the females) ranging from 3 to 8 weeks old. The female Apisto's (2") do a grand job of keeping the cupids away from the spawning sites.

I would say that the fry count is low compared to what I get from Apisto's in their own tank, so probably the Cupids are taking a few. When you consider though that Cupid's are 'eartheaters' and the Apisto fright response is to hug the sand, then not surprising a few of the fry get sifted while the Cupid's search for food.

I wouldn't go with larger boisterous fish in the same tank, my experience is that these guys are a bit skittish if disturbed unintentionally. I can't comment on the tetra cohabiting as I haven't kept mine with them, but as they get on with the Apisto's that might give you something else to think about when you are considering tank mates.

More info at > http/www.britishcichlid.com/pdfs/earth.pdf

and > http/britishcichlid.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=481

Andrew

edit: links added

 

[Waterloo Kid]

Many thanks for those links and your info. Just what I was after. I'm looking forward to picking my three (or four if they have them) up tomorrow. They are going to look great in my tank so long as I can get them through the early weeks. Just hope the angelfish leaves them some food!

WK

 

[Waterloo Kid]

Well, got them! Three males by the looks of things. They are about 4 - 5" long and all have rather sunken stomachs. Going to have to feed them up on some juicy bloodworm I think. They are lovely looking fish. Fingers crossed that they all make it through the first few weeks.

WK

 

[a.d.wood]

Congratulations WK,

Once they settle and fill out you will see a lot of subtle colouration in these guys. The top male in my group shows quite a lot of red/violet through the rear of his dorsal and anal fins (along with shades of yellows/orange through the body). Not bad for a brown fish with blue stripes on the face!!!

For feeding > little and often (if possible), mine can get up to 5 feeds a day when I'm around the house, otherwise at least 2 feeds per day. I'm using frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and Promin granular food (fine). Don't worry abput the particle size, once they've picked off the food as it floats to the bottom, they'll then sift the substrate for what they've missed (a sand substrate is essential for these guys so they can naturally sift the substrate for food).

If they're reluctant to feed on frozen, use live daphnia (along with little bits of frozen) for 2 or 3 days. That should get them eating properly, allow you to move them on to frozen food and get rid of the sunken stomachs.

Along with the sand substrate, these guys demand high water quality standards (mine are in pH 5.6, GH 1, KH 0 and nitrates non detectable thanks to some fast growing floating plants), water changes run at a frequency of 1 to 2 times per week.

Good luck and keep us posted

Andrew

 

[a.d.wood]

Just thought I would add a pick of 1 of my adults, enjoy

Andrew

 

[Waterloo Kid]

Very nice fish . You must have a great camera to get closeup photos like that! My fish are quite grey at the moment. There's some red to the fins but thas's about it. Once they have settled in I expect to see more colour develop.
Interestingly, one of my Keyholes took an instant dislike to the Cupidos. He's the smaller of the two Keyholes I have but he started pushing them around and posturing to them. And there was me making sure my adult angelfish didn't go balistic at the four juviniles I'd put in. He didn't take any notice of them at all!

All three are feeding well. They've taken bloodworm, TetraPrima and flake. Things are looking good so far.

WK