Considering Dwarf Cichlids - Help Anyone?

[tmh0921]

So I have a new 75 gallon tank (in addition to my 2 existing community tanks (20g and 30g), it's set up, filled with water, substrate in, filter in, heater in, air stones in, handful of plants in, waiting for cycle.

While I'm waiting, I'm trying to plan for what fish I want to add. I've been looking at dwarf cichlids:

- Apistogramma Agassizi
- Apistogramma Borellii
- Apistogramma Cacatuoides

From what I've read, these don't get more than 3.5 to 4 inches. My two current tanks are tropical community tanks with the usual (see sig), so I want something different for this tank. These are all beautiful fish, and definately different from what I have.

Unfortunately, I'm getting conflicting information on the net (I know, shocking isn't it?) with regards to their temprament. Some articles say they are peaceful, others say they are semi-aggressive to aggressive. Additionally, some say to keep them in "colonies" others say keep them in pairs....

Anyone with experience who can help clear this up for me? It'll be a month or two until I'm ready to get them (waiting for the tank to cycle), but I want to be prepared when the time comes.

 

[Gvilleguy]

My experience is with Bolivian Ram Dwarf Cichlids, but I almost went with Apisto Cactuoides. From what I have read, in your size tank you could indeed keep a number of them. I believe with Apistos they would each need their own place to hide, like a cave or pot. Look up member KittyKat on this forum - I have seen her post helpful information about Apistos in the past. Perhaps you could message her if she does not see this thread.

 

[ZoddyZod]

The three Apistos you have listed are 'hareem' breeders (I think!). This means that you'll need 2+ females for each male.

They can become 'aggressive' when breeding or spawning, but this basically means theat they defend their spawning area and chase other fish away, rather than going out of their way to attack or kill tankmates.

 

[tmh0921]

Thanks guys - I'll see if I can find KittyKat,...

Gvilleguy - I am looking at rams too, beautiful fish!

ZoddyZoo - thanks - that was another piece of conflicting information, pairing/breeding. I didnt want to get several if two wool pair off and chase the others away. If they prefer to have multiple females, then that'll work.

I'm also strongly considering a pair of convicts.

So is aggression with cichlids generally breeding /territory related where if they have enough room other tank mates of appropriate size would be safe enough?

 

[ZoddyZod]

I'm also strongly considering a pair of convicts.

So is aggression with cichlids generally breeding /territory related where if they have enough room other tank mates of appropriate size would be safe enough?

you've gone from one extreme to another there.

Apistos - generally peaceful
Convicts - very aggressive

If you've got a 'standard' community tank, convicts are likely to create havoc. They should to be kept on their own of with larger, tougher tank mates that can handle them.

The 'aggression' factors for each cichlid species vary. Territory, breeding, conspecifics, type of tankmate, etc can all be a factor depending on the species

 

[Gvilleguy]

For my Rams, I started with 4 juveniles in my 26 gallon, assuming that when they got bigger I would have to rehome two of them. This turned out to be true. The Rams never damaged each other, but there was constant "bickering" among them for real estate in the tank. I found another home for two of them, and the remaining ones settled in better. If I had a 75 gallon those four Rams would have easily co-existed! And on a side note, if you keep dither fish with the Rams they will be much more comfortable staying out in the open. It was not until I got up to 6 Rasboras and 8 Glowlight Tetras, hanging at mid-levels, that the Rams would say out of the hiding spots much more often, and even swim at mid-level rather than always on the bottom.

 

[kyleb2003]

Here's my 2p. I have kept borelli before, 1 male and 2 females together and they were lovely fish, very peaceful and bred from a young age, even then they weren't very aggressive at all.

I have a cacatuoides male now who is also very peaceful but I'm yet to introduce females (tomorrow is the big day). I'd recommend both of those though, as I have enjoyed keeping each of them.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Kyle - which fish is that in your avatar? Is that the cacatuoide male? I really want to get some of those one day (when I get a 2nd tank!)...

 

[tmh0921]

Ok this has been great feedback - I had actually decided on convicts but with a 75g tank would like more fish, so think the better, more peaceful route will be Apistos...now to decide which Apistos!

 

[Gvilleguy]

I think Apistos are the right choice!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

I keep and breed Apistogramma Cacatuoides. They are do not need 2 females 1 male to breed they can be done as pair. A trio which is what i keep are hard work as to the females always have a go dispite haveing all the coconuts and moss they could need. I kept 2 males 2 females in comminty tank and they were very peacefull to other fish untill they paired off and then the male had a go at everyone trying to protect his young. Also it is not uncommon for the female to kill the male if he keeps trying it on when she has fry, Apistogramma Cacatuoides have aslo been known to have sleepers among them for example 1 male will be alpha and rule the tank if he is removed what you once thought were females start growing long flowing fins and yep you guessed it there were males with some lovely colurs. I just quickly dotted some info on these ill try help out some more

 

[Gvilleguy]

Bruiser - if you only had room for 2 Apistos, what combo would you recommend? (2 males, 1 each, 2 females) How many do you think tmh could stock in 75 gallons?

 

[lowthy76]

Bruiser - if you only had room for 2 Apistos, what combo would you recommend? (2 males, 1 each, 2 females) How many do you think tmh could stock in 75 gallons?

im in the market for apisto's and have been doing lots of homework on them, tomorrow i am going to pick up a pair of hongsloi's as reading up on them they both care for the fry, so are both good parents, very pretty fish to

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Bruiser - if you only had room for 2 Apistos, what combo would you recommend? (2 males, 1 each, 2 females) How many do you think tmh could stock in 75 gallons?

I only have experince with Cacatuoides at the moment are making it a community tank? 1 male and 3 females with lots of dither fish would look nice

think i misunder stood you post if you only have room for 2 more fish 1 male 1 female will be fine, depending on other fish stocking

 

[Gvilleguy]

Yes - I was asking both for the OP (their 75 gallon) and my own future, which might hold a 25 - 30 gallon tank (long rather than tall). I'm hoping to make Apistos the centerpiece, but in that size tank I would imagine I could only have 2?