Renovating my 37 gallon with questions & my return to fishforums.

[SammyTargo]

Hey All!

Some of you may possibly remember me, although I didn’t show my face around here so much, but I decided to make a return.

Now, back to some context. I took a large break from the hobby, sold off/gave away many of my breeded fish’s offspring. I still hold some of them, but not nearly the amount I used to have. I also got a lot more into terrariums, and started to propagate moss etc. to make those on a large scale. Anywho, I am back now. I am also redoing a community tank because it’s time has come.

Leading me right to the next topic of the new community tank scape! Now, this tank used to have a collection of fish, and much lore. However, I have decided to redo it and keep some of the fish from the prev. setup in the new setup. This includes the Harlequin Rasboras, Pepper Corydoras. I am to relocate the collection of assorted guppy/endler mix (of my various strains).

Fish (and possibly other animals) I am planning to add to the setup: Otocinclus, Apistogramma pair, and undecided third centerpiece-esque fish (e.g., other peaceful-ish dwarf cichlid like a goldeneye cichlid, sparkling gouramis, bolivian rams, etc.), and some snails for cleanup (probably nerites).

Some things to note before showing the scape. I went to my nearby aquarium shop to pick up some sand, and hardscape for the tank, along with various new plants to switch up the norm that I usually go with. Therefore, this results in the plants not being fully grown in, and will look slightly incomplete. I put some API AccuClear about 2 hours ago, so also could look a bit debris-clumpy. I also need to clean the back glass, as it is slightly dirty from substrate transfer. The plants in the scape also may look very awkwardly crooked or ragged, this is because the tank was setup 2 days ago and all the plants are still adjusting as aquariums do.

Here is a photo of the scape:

Plant list is here (I do not remember full names for some plants):

• Valisneria
• Rotala Rotundifolia
• Rotala Macranda
• Rotala Walichii
• Amazon Sword “Marbled”
• Anubias “Broadleaf”
• Anubias Nana “Petite”
• Cryptocoryne (Wendtii?)
• Hygrophila
• Duckweed (In which I would love to eradicate)
• Salvinia Minima

Last thing, my questions and topics

1. Which Apisto species should I get? I had some ideas but nothing is set in stone, and all must depend on what the shop has. (My #1 is Apistogramma Elizabethae but I’m doubtful it will be available, so if anyone has ideas for alternatives that look similar that would be great)
2. What should I get otherwise? I mentioned how I want another centerpiece-esque fish for the tank, but I am not sure what yet. A big candidate is sparkling gouramis, they are great fish and would work great in my tank since my tank is quite tall and this would leave lots of room for their own territory outside of the apisto’s grounds Or I could keep another pair of dwarf cichlids. Something like the chessboard cichlid or the goldeneye cichlid?
3. Lastly, the general opinion of you guys. I would like to know what you guys think, and stuff like what I should do with it to improve. Hardscape might be difficult, but maybe tips on what else to plant like species or areas? Anything general.

[edit] Oh- last thing, my filter is beyond capable of handling most bioloads, so it shouldn’t be an issue at all.

 

[MattW45 161]

I can't give you any advice on fish stocking as I haven't kept any of the species listed, sorry

If you need to change your username, send a PM to an admin so they can sort it for you

Best advice I can give for hardscape/plants is to let them grow in. I reckon 2-4 weeks will give you enough growth. Then move or change plants if you need to. You can trim some of the plants when they get bigger, so you have cuttings to fill in any sparse areas.

 

[SammyTargo]

I can't give you any advice on fish stocking as I haven't kept any of the species listed, sorry

If you need to change your username, send a PM to an admin so they can sort it for you

Best advice I can give for hardscape/plants is to let them grow in. I reckon 2-4 weeks will give you enough growth. Then move or change plants if you need to. You can trim some of the plants when they get bigger, so you have cuttings to fill in any sparse areas.

thanks, I’m dealing with the username thing, but do you have any ideas of other centerpiece fish I should go for?

 

[MattW45 161]

Only centerpiece fish I’ve kept were honey gourami and Betta. There are members here who have kept many other species and could give you advice on

 

[connorlindeman43 43]

I remember your profile picture.

 

[SammyTargo]

I remember your profile picture.

haha yes I used to breed many strains of livebearers and bettas

 

[GaryE6 4]

My view? No centrepiece. The tank doesn't look large enough for anything but a pair of Apistos. A elizabethae is a rare and expensive one. What's available where you are?

Paired off apistos would kill sparklers. A second Apisto pair would be unlikely to work out, space wise. One bottom territory species per tank is a good rule to go by.

Otherwise, great patience is needed for the scape. It'll take a few months to grow in and develop.

 

[SammyTargo]

My view? No centrepiece. The tank doesn't look large enough for anything but a pair of Apistos. A elizabethae is a rare and expensive one. What's available where you are?

Paired off apistos would kill sparklers. A second Apisto pair would be unlikely to work out, space wise. One bottom territory species per tank is a good rule to go by.

Otherwise, great patience is needed for the scape. It'll take a few months to grow in and develop.

I appreciate the advice.

I wasn't planning on having 2 pairs of apistos whether the same species or not, it can cause problems. I was really asking about whether I could go for another pair of cichlids, like goldeneye or keyhole.

You mentioned how the sparkling gouramis would be killed by the apistos. I found that apistos have been very docile in the past, and introducing them correctly shouldn't be an issue from my experience. The sparklers are also super docile I thought. I've actually never kept them but I have ample experience in the labyrinth fish field.

The tank is 40 gallons, though I see how the photo can be a bit decieving; medium-small sized tank.

All in all, it should be well and you are right about me not even needing a second pair of cichlids or any centerpiece for that matter. All will come with patience and a few months of settling, I will keep this page open as I update about this tank. For now, it will be about introducing my corydoras back, adding more corys to the school (I only have 3 that I had recieved from a friend a while ago, and was planning for a while to introduce 3+ more), and the harlequins. Also otocinclus.

 

[GaryE6 4]

Golden eyes (Nanacara anomala) can sometimes really go after corys. It's a quirk I've seen reported several times. They go for their eyes...

Keyholes are the dumbest Cichlids I ever kept. But they are sweet.

Apistos can be docile til they breed. Their fry defense is sometimes very fierce. I love small cichlids, but I tend to limit myself to one species per tank.

 

[SammyTargo]

Golden eyes (Nanacara anomala) can sometimes really go after corys. It's a quirk I've seen reported several times. They go for their eyes...

Keyholes are the dumbest Cichlids I ever kept. But they are sweet.

Apistos can be docile til they breed. Their fry defense is sometimes very fierce. I love small cichlids, but I tend to limit myself to one species per tank.

I see. I was just doing some research right now. What about a pair of festivums? They occupy the top of the tank and I have a friend who has a breeding pair that have fry on the regular. Flag acara is another option (Laetacara curviceps). They occupy the mid-bottom range rather than cave dwelling. And keyholes are obviously another option being super friendly and not harming anything, but I find them somewhat boring unless under perfect lighting.

All of these are just options, and the ones that aren't keyholes are just alternatives for the keyholes.

Apistos from my experience will get territorial but not extremely aggressive during breeding, they will guard their territory but not go out of their way to mess with other fish.

 

[GaryE6 4]

festivum get very large, somewhat quickly. I have kept two Mesonauta species (it's rare to really see the actual species festivum) and wouldn't consider them for under a 55 gallon. It's not just their shape, but their bodies have quite a heft to them.

A 37 is a great tank, but for SA Cichlids, it won't hold many. Most small stuff likes the bottom of the tank for territories.

I've bred about 30 Apistogramma species, escribed and undescribed, and kept a few more I didn't succeed with. They won't kill many shoalers when they are guarding fry, but they will drive other bottom territory fish up into the corners. It's a balance. If you could get Guianacara, you would be impressed, but they would be rough on Apistos in that tank. You might get away with an open spawner to complement the cave spawning Apistos, if the plants and cover are good.

 

[SammyTargo]

festivum get very large, somewhat quickly. I have kept two Mesonauta species (it's rare to really see the actual species festivum) and wouldn't consider them for under a 55 gallon. It's not just their shape, but their bodies have quite a heft to them.

A 37 is a great tank, but for SA Cichlids, it won't hold many. Most small stuff likes the bottom of the tank for territories.

I've bred about 30 Apistogramma species, escribed and undescribed, and kept a few more I didn't succeed with. They won't kill many shoalers when they are guarding fry, but they will drive other bottom territory fish up into the corners. It's a balance. If you could get Guianacara, you would be impressed, but they would be rough on Apistos in that tank. You might get away with an open spawner to complement the cave spawning Apistos, if the plants and cover are good.

what about bolivian rams? I am not a big fan but just to throw it out there as an option. I am getting the opinion from you that apistos is enough and I shouldn’t pursue another pair of cichlids regardless of the specimen.

 

[gwand45 161]

I have two pairs of Apistogramma cacatuoides. Each cockatoo pair has their own 20 gallon long shared with 10 small dither fish. No other fauna but loads of plants, caves and tannin producing leaves and alder cones. The pairs spawn routinely every 6-8 weeks. I have a third 20 gallon long as the grow out tank. Both tanks are peaceful so far.

 

[MuddyWaters]

I have 3 German Blue Rams in a 40 breeder with 10 pygmy cories, 3 silver hatchet fish and a few cardinal tetras. I also have a pair of angel fish. With a tall tank, they might be just the thing. A lot of folks don't like angels, but to me they are gorgeous, and regal. Mine do fine- they breed all the time- haven't had them get to where they have wigglers yet, but they lay eggs. They'll run off the other fish, but don't chase them down.

The rams have laid eggs once that I saw. There are 2 females and 1 male. They do spend a lot of time running off the other female, so I'm going to sell her at the club auction next month. I started with more rams in that tank, but quickly had to move one pair to a 10 gallon (currently raising fry) a couple died before I could move them out and I have the 1 odd female left to move.

The plant selection is pretty basic because of the water temperature (83-84 deg F), but I really enjoy the tank with the Angels- they will come to see me and all that.

 

[SammyTargo]

I have two pairs of Apistogramma cacatuoides. Each cockatoo pair has their own 20 gallon long shared with 10 small dither fish.

What dither fish do you use? Would Harlequin Rasboras work?

I have 3 German Blue Rams in a 40 breeder with 10 pygmy cories, 3 silver hatchet fish and a few cardinal tetras. I also have a pair of angel fish. With a tall tank, they might be just the thing.

Which is the thing, the rams or the angelfish? For angels, yes, the tall tank is ideal but they may get stressed out as just a pair in a 40 gallon tall. I am planning to grow out the plants into a situation of ample cover on the left-hand side, and a slightly more open fore-mid ground on the right. Rams aren’t my favourite so I wanted to look for alternatives, bolivian rams are nice although I want something unique… I was thinking of the flag acara but am not sure where to get it and I do not know much about the fish.