Breeding Apisto's

[tenohfive]

Most folks on here know me, I've kept fish for a while now but never tried breeding. I've now got the space that I can afford a seperate breeding tank and I've got some vague plans that will hopefully take better shape with some help from people on here.

I'm trying to source a reasonable sized tank that I can divide into for what will probably be 2 different types of apisto. I'm trying to get either a 3 or 4 foot tank (so anywhere from 90L to 145L in all probability.) If I were to get a 90L tank I was planning on dividing it in half with a species in each, medium planting (with a fair bit of floating planting) with bogwood, oak leaves (hard water area) and caves/plant pots for spawning. I'd use a seperate pair of 5G tanks for initial grow out, then around the 4 month mark move fry them to a 15G seperate tank.

If I were able to find a suitable 4ft tank I've a bit more flexibility. I'm open to advice as to whether I should divide it in half with a species in each or divide in 3, with 3 species or divide in 3 with 2 species and the third section as an initial grow out area. I think I may be being greedy in considering 3 species in that space, if so please tell me so.

Does this sound like I'm going along the right lines? And is there anything else that I need to know? I will be doing more research before I start anything but I thought I'd pop a post up to find out if I'm starting along the right lines.

Thanks
Chris

 

[sswm]

sounds good...I think you could a 55 gallon tank, 4 ft long then you could divide it into 3 which would give you a 16x12 footprint for each section providing you have enough places for them to hide. I know it would be nice to have different apistos but what if you got 3 pairs of the same kind, then you could start a nice breeding line going and cut out any inbreeding along the line. Will you be taking the eggs out right away to hatch in the 5 gallons or will you be leaving them in with the parents? If you have the space or resources then you could set up a 5 gallon tank for each pairs eggs and use that for the initial grow out, then move them into the bigger tanks but keeping them seperate someway.

 

[tenohfive]

I honestly don't know whether to take the eggs out or leave them in - as I say, breedings new to me. Whichever gives me the best chance of raising healthy fry.

As for whether to keep more than one species...it would be simpler just keeping the one, I have to admit. I can see that being the best option, especially if I go for a species that will be easy to sell on. I'm not doing this as a profit based idea, but if I can cover costs that would be a bonus - and save me getting overstocked tanks.

As for how to work it once they've spawned...I suppose I could divide a 15G tank in 3 to start with, after that the logistics get complicated. Or get a 25G tank to place under the main tank, and divide it up in three (one section for each pairs eggs) but only half fill it - a tip I heard from an apisto breeder, means the fry have less distance to go to track down foot. Then when they get to the 3 - 4 month mark fill it up to capacity, giving them 8-9G each and look to find homes for them once they're outgrowing that size. Does that sound like it'd work?

Advice welcomed on all of the above.

 

[CichlidGuy]

Well if you separate the eggs you will be able to get another spawn soon, rather then letting them care for them for a month and the waiting another month for them to spawn again. One species is simple multiple gets a bit complicated. depends what you want. i would hatch all the fry in the 25 gal which will house them until a month or 2 of age them move them again into something bigger if you have room. These fish spawn like 200 eggs somtimes and if you get a good hatch rate and an overall living rate then thats a lot of fish to house. if u had 3 pairs and say a 50% die off from non fertilization or just mold death then thats like 300 fry to care for in a 25gal lol. at a month they are like almost a 1/2 ". a lot to think about.