Will Apistos Work In My Tank?

[magpie]

Hey there,

I've posted other questions previously, but now my tank is getting down to the finishing touches.

I have a heavily-planted, 3-foot, 65 gallon tank. It has an Eheim 2217. I live in the Pacific NW where the water is very soft and has a pH generally around 6.6-6.8. I keep the temp 78-79-ish.

Here's my current stocking:
- 6 Daisy's ricefish (Oryzias Woworae)
- 5 Purple pencilfish (Nannostomus rubrocaudatus) - would like to get 3 more when they are available.
- 10 Marbled hatchetfish
- 12 Spotted blue-eye rainbowfish (Pseudomugil Gertrudae)
- 6 Kuhli loaches
- 2 Stiphodon Elegans Gobies
- 3 Farlowella "twig" catfish
And I plan on getting 4-6 Laetacara araguaie "Buckelkopf" this week, to get an eventual pair to keep in the tank.

My husband hasn't really chosen any fish for the tank, as it's mostly my thing, but he loves Apistos.
So my questions are:
- Could I put a pair of Apistos in this tank - with the Laetacara - and have everyone be happy?
- If so, is there a specific species that would work best for this setup? Remember, this has a 3-ft footprint.
- If you don't think Apistos would work, do you think something like Bolivian Rams or Dicrossus Maculatus would? Or should I just stick with the Laetacara pair?

Here is my local apisto selection as of this week: http/wetspottropicalfish.com/index...d=51&Itemid=66
Apistogramma, agassizi "Double Red", , 1.5", $15.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, cf. agassizi netz "Tefe Pearl Blue", , 1.5", $17.50 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, baenschi "Inka" , , 1.5", $24.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, bitaeniata , , 1.25", $15.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, borelli "Blue", , 1.5", $10.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, borelli "Opal", , 1.25", $12.50 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, sp. "Breitbinden", , 1.25", $30.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, cacatuoides "Super Red", , 1.5", $12.50 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, cacatuoides "Orange Flash", , 1.5", $12.50 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, cacatuoides WILD Peru, , 1.25", $8.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, sp. "Nanay" WILD Peru, , 1.25", $8.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, sp. "Kelleri" "Diamond Face" NICE, , 1.75", $35.00 , Pairs Not
Apistogramma, diplotaenia, , .75", $50.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, elizabethae, , 1.25", $45.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, eruthrura "Rio Mamore", , 1.25", $30.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, eunotus "Blue Cheek" WILD Peru, , 1.5", $8.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, hongsloi Form II, , 1.25", $30.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, mendezi, , 1", $30.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, nijsseni, , 1.5", $15.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, panduro , , 1", $15.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, sp. "Pebas", , 1"+, $20.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, pertensis, , 1", $12.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, sp. "Putumayo" "Algodon II", , 1.5", $30.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, steindachneri, , 1.5-2", $12.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, trifasciata, , 1.5", $12.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, sp. "Tucurui", , 1.25", $15.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed
Apistogramma, viejita "Red Neck", , 1.5-2", $15.00 , Pairs Not Guaranteed

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[thereverendturtle]

Yes a pair of apistogrammas would work well in your setup. As to the species it's your choice, they all have the same basic care requirements. My personal choices would be hongsloi or panduro.

 

[magpie]

I guess I've heard that certain species have different temperaments. I think I need a fish that won't take guff from the laetacaras, but yet won't harass them either. I also like fish that are owner interactive.

Why do you like the hongsloi and panduro? Ir is it just based on looks?

 

[thereverendturtle]

Looks and personality. A little more willing to stand up for themselves, but not absolute terrors. Of course this is personal experience, all fish are different. Cockatoos IMO tend to be a little more aggressive. If you have the chance just take some time to watch the ones you like interact at the shop for a bit. Given a few minutes you can see how they react to each other.

 

[magpie]

Thanks much for the input!

Someone else recommended that to increase the liklihood of a peaceful mixing, to choose 2 male laetacaras and 2 or 3 male apistos of different types and body shapes. He said that if I try to get pairs (without the intent to breed, which would likely not work in my community tank anyway - gobies and kuhli loaches etc) there'd be a much greater liklihood of aggression.

I am not wanting to breed, though at some point I may give it a shot - in that case I'd likely do a species tank, then, and focus on it. I don't really want to miss out on fun behaviors, but I don't want to disrupt my current peaceful community too much either. I just want the fish to be happy and to have some interesting species.

What do you all think about this?

 

[ultimatebob]

1st of all,from what your inventory describes, the general ph of your water, and that it's a well planted tank, GOOD JOB! you got it going on. just my opinion, but i have always liked aquidens dorsig. and maybe you should tell him to pick the apistos. that way your tank is something you both did together, maybe something to be mentioned at valentine's day next year. a tank you both created together, i think that would be pretty cool. a keepsake of sorts.

 

[magpie]

Thank you!

Well if there aren't any major red flags (i.e. species that people think would be too aggressive) I could show him photos of each and let him pick just based on looks. I've heard that some have quite different temperaments but so far thereverendturtle is the only one to really give me a concrete example - the Cacatuoides being a bit more aggro. So I'll leave those guys out from the choices for my husband.

Any other opinions?

What about the "male tank" idea?

 

[Crossfire]

Dwarf cichlids would work fine in the setup, but since they mostly inhabit the bottom levels of the tank, be careful that they don't get aggressive torwards your kuhlis. And make sure they get enough to eat with a big apisto like that around Good luck! And it sounds like a pretty tank

 

[magpie]

I love my kuhlis!

I have heard by the other person recommending males that that's another reason not to get a breeding pair -otherwise they may possibly hassle my kuhlis and gobies.

 

[Crossfire]

I love my kuhlis!

I have heard by the other person recommending males that that's another reason not to get a breeding pair -otherwise they may possibly hassle my kuhlis and gobies.

Hahahahah good luck

 

[magpie]

(Gratuitous kuhli loach shot with goby in the background)

Here is a semi-recent tank shot

I have some rocks built into little caves, but if I did do apistos, is everyone's experience that they do better with cichlid caves/rocks or would my existing caves be OK to make them feel at home?

I'm also thinking of adding a few oak or indian almond leaves. I think that any dwarf I would get would like them, as would the kuhlis.

 

[Crossfire]

Those kuhlis are absolutely precious!

 

[thereverendturtle]

Sorry, had computer issues. I can't see your second pic, but any cave structure will be just fine by the apistos. Although I agree with the all male route, they truly do show much more color and personality with the ladies present.