scoobs Messages: 162 Registered: May 2002 Location: Muskoka, Ontario
Senior Member
I was speaking with Gas a while back and he recommended that I ask about apistoes, but anybody else that might have anything to offer that would be good too.
I recently purchased a pair of apistogrammis cacatouides "super reds" as well as a pair of apistogrammis borelli "opal" I find them to be amazing fish, I am aware that there ph should be around the 7 mark and the water semi hard. I have each mated pair in seperate tanks alone it has a gravel substrate and a good amount of rock work. I'm feeding them daphnia and blood worms when I try flake food they dont care to eat it. So I was curious as to whether I'm doing everything correctly or not so far and I have a few questions. Oh yes and I do intend to breed these as well.
can I add other fish to the tanks? if so what? is there anything I can do to entice breeding? should I have a well planted tank? if so what sort of plants should I plant? Is the feeding progam I have them on good enough ? or should I make a few changes?
I think thats all thanks for any input.
Scoobs.
Lisachromis Messages: 881 Registered: May 2002 Location: Chatham, Ontario
Senior Member
Hi Scoobs,
Congrats on seeing the light and getting some dwarves
A. cacs and borellis don't need super-low pH so you are correct with the 7 and semi-hard. Just remember to keep the water changes up You should have several caves for them in each tank - one cave should be small enough for the female to get into but not the male. I use inverted clay pots with the drainage hole enlarged slightly. ( If you want to know how to do this, let me know) You are spoiling them! They need some variation and the easiest way to accomplish this is to get them used to flake food too. If they don't eat it right away, you don't have to worry and remove the uneaten flake. Don't feed anything else for a day or two and try again - they won't starve in 2 days
It is advantageous to include dither fish in the tanks too. Good choices would probably be danios or killis - something that swims in the top 1/3 of the water column. Just be careful when the apistos decide to spawn - the dithers will try for the fry. They will either be successful or will get so badly mauled they will die.
Apistos are probably at their best in planted tanks. They don't eat any of them (that I know of) and aren't diggers (provided there are caves available).
You could project fishy "porn" onto the back of the tank to "get them in the mood" LOL Lisa & Ken
Lisa's Lair
scoobs Messages: 162 Registered: May 2002 Location: Muskoka, Ontario
Senior Member
Thank you very much for the reply.
I kinda thought that I was spoiling them a little but is the protien to much for them or is it ok. can you think of any other dither fish(what about guppy's). You also mentioned that a planted tank is a good thing, now I'll be honest and tell you that I cant keep a cactus alive, so could you tell me what might be a good plant to try and if I need any special lighting or whether or not a simple florecent bulb will suffice.
Thanks again.
Scoobs
Lisachromis Messages: 881 Registered: May 2002 Location: Chatham, Ontario
Senior Member
The protein in the food is fine. They just need a varied diet, like any other fish. Guppies will be fine as dithers. Danios are good too. Just remember, that if the Apistos breed, you will most likely be moving out any dither fish. Your best bet for plants are low light plants. Some good ones to try are: Java Fern, any Anubias species, Bolbitis, and Vallisneria. You could also try Hygrophilia species as well. They should be fine with whatever light you have on your tank.Lisa & Ken
Lisa's Lair
scoobs Messages: 162 Registered: May 2002 Location: Muskoka, Ontario
Senior Member
Hey thanks again.
you know I the more I know the more questions I have. This one is mainly on territorys. I understand that apistos are supposed to be a harem breeder but I was curious as to how many males you could have in a ten or twenty gallon tank? are they aggressive towards others males? how many females should I have per male and how many in the tank period? can I mix different pairs of apistoes in the same tank? or will they fight and crossbreed?I was told that you can put a pair of them in a three gallon tank, is that two small?
Well I think thats all for tonight, thank you very much for all your help, Lisa or Ken which ever one it is.
Scoobs.
Lisachromis Messages: 881 Registered: May 2002 Location: Chatham, Ontario
Senior Member
Hey Scoobs,
Well.... here goes. SOME Apistos are harem breeders, some are pair spawners. Generally, I'd say one male per 10 gallon tank, you may get away with 2 in a 20, but that depends on decor and what species you have. Some are a lot more aggressive than others. Heck, sometimes the female is the one he has to look out for. Some females have been known to kill much larger males when they were guarding fry. You can breed both borelli and cacs with just one pair. The borelli will tolerate extra females but have a few more hiding spots in the tank than you have fish. Some Apistos will interbreed. It all depends on how closely the families are related. I'd just keep one species for now. Keep things simple. NO!!! A 3 gallon tank is too small for a pair of Apistos. A 10 is about the smallest you can get away with if they aren't too aggressive (for their size).
Good Luck
scoobs Messages: 162 Registered: May 2002 Location: Muskoka, Ontario
Senior Member
Thanks for all your help Lisa. I went and got a few of the plants that you suggested and they look great. I was just wondering can plants carry any fish diseas or parasite? and I have yet another question on my apistoes, could I mix the borillis and the cacatouides together in a 20 gal or is that right out of the question?
thanks again
Scoobs.
Lisachromis Messages: 881 Registered: May 2002 Location: Chatham, Ontario
Senior Member
Hi Scoobs,
There is always the possibility that plants could harbour parasites amongst the leaves and possibly disease in the water they're transported in. That said, the chances of either of those happening are very remote. If you get your plants from a reputable source, I wouldn't worry. I would be concerned if you were collecting from the wild
As far as mixing the Apisto species, I wouldn't for now. get a little experience with one of them (or both in separate tanks) before you try mixing them. Lisa & Ken
Lisa's Lair
scoobs Messages: 162 Registered: May 2002 Location: Muskoka, Ontario
Senior Member
thanks again your just a fountain of information , well some bad news to report, the male borelli died and I dont know why the female is in the same tank and shes still alive and well, and now very alone. When I went to replace the male I couldnt just purchase a male I had to buy a pair, but it wasnt that easy as the place that I got them in the first place doesnt have any and doesnt know when theyll be getting more. So I was wondering if you could tell me of a breeder or a store that carries them regularly.
I'd also like to know where I might be able too get some more exotic species, I really like these fish!
thanks again
Scoobs.
Lisachromis Messages: 881 Registered: May 2002 Location: Chatham, Ontario
Senior Member
Sorry to hear about your male borelli.
I'm not sure anywhere you could get them locally for you. I believe there is a guy in Montreal that could ship to you. I can't remember the business' name but I believe his name is Oliver Lucanus. He carries a lot of SA wild caught fish. Maybe you can get a wild male.
If this isn't feasible, let me know. I'll try to go through a different source (no guarantee there though).Lisa & Ken
Lisa's Lair
scoobs Messages: 162 Registered: May 2002 Location: Muskoka, Ontario
Senior Member
thanks Lisa I'm always interested in hearing about different sources. However, I am glad to report that I talked to where I bought them earlier and he will order me some more so I hope that will pan out.
those cacatouides can be a little aggressive, I bought a pair of peacock gudgeon and a pair of kribs to add to the tank for some thing else to look at. I'm glad to say that the kribs seem to be holding there own but my poor gudgoen didnt even make it through the first night.
Scoobs.
scoobs Messages: 162 Registered: May 2002 Location: Muskoka, Ontario
Senior Member
Well once again you'll be happy to know that you were right. those damb kribs almost killed the the poor little guys, I had to put up an emerge tank and remove the kribs. the male is in such bad shape that I actually cradeled him in my hand and lifted him up in the water to eat. once I lifted im close enough to the daphnia he took it pretty greedily. I think the kribs were preventing them to eat. Well I'll keep you posted thanks again.
Lisachromis Messages: 881 Registered: May 2002 Location: Chatham, Ontario
Senior Member
I warned you!!!
Poor fishies... at least you saved them!
I hope they can recover with a little tender loving care. With both of those species going for the same type of territory, the big fish is going to win.... Lisa & Ken
Lisa's Lair
scoobs Messages: 162 Registered: May 2002 Location: Muskoka, Ontario
Senior Member
Yes well I think in the future I should pay closer to attention to my smaller tanks.
But, just to let you know I believe these little fish have made a full recovery. The male is displaying again and the female has returned to her gorgeous yellow breeding color.
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You should have several caves for them in each tank - one cave should be small enough for the female to get into but not the male. I use inverted clay pots with the drainage hole enlarged slightly. ( If you want to know how to do this, let me know) You are spoiling them! They need some variation and the easiest way to accomplish this is to get them used to flake food too. If they don't eat it right away, you don't have to worry and remove the uneaten flake. Don't feed anything else for a day or two and try again - they won't starve in 2 days 
, well some bad news to report, the male borelli died and I dont know why the female is in the same tank and shes still alive and well, and now very alone. When I went to replace the male I couldnt just purchase a male I had to buy a pair, but it wasnt that easy as the place that I got them in the first place doesnt have any and doesnt know when theyll be getting more. So I was wondering if you could tell me of a breeder or a store that carries them regularly.
Re: Apisto's
Re: Apisto's
