starting a new tank

[terrorist_124]

hi,
i'am planning on making a 55g dwarf cichlid tank.
i want to put in mainly apistos,how many do you think i could fit?

the tank will also have some neons , a baby bala and a BGK.

any advice appreciated
thanx in advance

 

[moneywastedonfish]

i'd say two males max. plus a big harem of females (probably 4 for the dominant male and 2-3 for the less dominant) . i don't think the bala is a great idea because they are too big and active, and like to be kept in a group. Also BGK's get pretty big and may find the smaller female apistos a tasty treat.
i've also read that apistos can hybridise, so only have the one species if you want to be able to sell or give away any fry. please don't give any hybrids away.
instead of the bgk and bala why don't you go for a nice big community setup with the apistos as centre piece fish?

hth.

 

[terrorist_124]

i have the bgK in a 15g and need to upgrade him.he's only 11cm right now.

making the apistos the centrepiece was my idea,i thought of putting in a dozen tetras.

 

[terrorist_124]

bump

 

[juanveldez]

i'd say two males max. plus a big harem of females (probably 4 for the dominant male and 2-3 for the less dominant) . i don't think the bala is a great idea because they are too big and active, and like to be kept in a group. Also BGK's get pretty big and may find the smaller female apistos a tasty treat.
i've also read that apistos can hybridise, so only have the one species if you want to be able to sell or give away any fry. please don't give any hybrids away.
instead of the bgk and bala why don't you go for a nice big community setup with the apistos as centre piece fish?

hth.

pretty sound advise. for sure wouldn't go with the balas, the BGK would eventually like to try and get him a nice apisto dinner if not the adults then definatly the fry. and shouldn't mix the apistos, one species of apisto and some rams or kribs.

 

[Griz]

You could get 2 male apistos and a harem of females but that would be "just" enough territory for the two males to coexist I think. This wouldn't leave much room for any other dwarfs IMO. I do like the idea though and have though I might like a setup like that myself. A setup with two males would prove very interesting, apisto behaviour is fascinating to observe. Another idea would be one male with say, 3 females. This should allow you to have another variety of dwarfs like rams or kribs as others have suggested. I also agree about the BGK and bala, sorry. I if you do decide against them (and I think you should) your possibilities for tankmates with the dwarfs are huge. Were you considering a planted tank?

 

[terrorist_124]

i guess i'll forget the BGK and bala.

yes,i'm looking to make a planted tank.

i was thinking of putting in 2 males,4 females and a dozen tetras.

oh and i decided to get a 60g instead so the males don't fight.

thanx for all your replies