Bolivians Or Apistogramas..

[AnimalHouse36]

Yep i agree, they always look crap in lfs tanks, like grey and brown, but once settled they go red and blue and get trailors on there fins when they get bigger.

Another hardy option is Kribensis, they are good with smaller fish, even tho they are african, they suit a new world tank better.

Wow, they are stunning fish. Would they be alright with cories? As a quick web search said they are bottom dwelling. However, they are stunning. Looks like the bolivians have another competitor!

minnnt: That actually really reassured me as the ones in the store really made me rethink them!

 

[GShorty1981]

They can bully bottom dwelling fish, but to be honest all dwarf cichlids are bottom dwelling and do the same.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Is there anything I can do to try and limit the agresssion?
I've already got a few cories in the 10 gallon that I was going to move to the 55 gallon, and I'd like to make sure they're going to be happy since they were there first.

 

[GShorty1981]

I think they would be fine, they will take a corner of the tank and chase away anything that comes near, its a shame you have things like cardinals cos with the kribs you could have a centre piece fish like a 6" special, convict, sajica, honduran red point, cutteri, hum head eartheater etc.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Wow, the honduran red point is gorgeous.
While planning the tank I didn't want it to be a cichlid tank. I wanted a few species, but many of them with just a few stunning larger fish, thus the reason I'm not getting both bolivians and the kribnesis.

I'm not 100% certain that is the stock list I want, its probably going to be edited up to the day I go to buy them. So maybe the ones listed above are still an option! I'ves till got a few weeks to decide. Although, you've really gotten me in love with those Kribnesis!

 

[GShorty1981]

Kribs will fit in well with your stock, people will say no because they are african, but trust me from experience, they will fit in well.

You might get away with some angels to, but HRPS (Hondurans) will deffo eat small fish.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

I was originally thinking angels, but didn't want to risk the cardinals. Plus, I find them a bit boring, honestly. They're pretty, but don't move much.

I think I'm going to have to get me a pair of kribs.
Do they need to pair up like angels? Or do any 2 male and females work together?

 

[GShorty1981]

Yeh they need to be paired up, so if you want a true pair get 2 males and 3 females and see who pairs up, or risk it and get one male and one female and hope they pair off, get a small cave or coconut shell and put it at one side of your tank, that way they can dominate a corner and the rest of the fish have the rest of the tank to retreat to if they breed and get nasty.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Apistos look nicer but are alot more expensive and are a lot weaker.

If you are keeping dwarfs for the first time, go for Bolivians.

Do you have any info to support this please?

 

[GShorty1981]

Experience mate.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Experience mate.

Maybe your doing it wrong then never come across them been weak in any way. All the breeding i have done with them the only thing i have found is the ph does effect the male/female ratio, i cant find any site that says there weaker fish so maybe you just had poorly fish who knows

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Experience mate.

Maybe your doing it wrong then never come across them been weak in any way. All the breeding i have done with them the only thing i have found is the ph does effect the male/female ratio, i cant find any site that says there weaker fish so maybe you just had poorly fish who knows

SO, if I get apistos from a good line, do you think they'll be okay with my water perimeters?

 

[GShorty1981]

Maybe i'm doing it wrong? i said they are weaker than Bolivians.

Bolivians are good begginer fish, Apistos and Rams are for more experienced, thats my advice, mock it all you want.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Maybe i'm doing it wrong? i said they are weaker than Bolivians.

Bolivians are good begginer fish, Apistos and Rams are for more experienced, thats my advice, mock it all you want.

If i was mocking i would't have put a smiley next to it so relax as a breeder i disgree that all, any way we digress

@op have settled on which type of apisto you want for sure? where abouts do you live?

 

[minnnt]

I think Kribs are too aggressive for Cardinals when breeding. Obviously it all depends on each individual fish's temperament but mine were evil!

An Ellioti would be fine as your centrepiece fish, mine is very easy going with my shoalers... it's just anything big he don't like.