Looking to get Apistos

CrazedAce

New Member
What kind should I get? I've been leaning towards either longfin german blue rams, or cacatuoides "Super Red". I will be putting them in a 30gal. How many is too many? What's a good size for a breeding colony? Ratio of males and females? Where can I get these fish without paying ridiculous prices?
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Do u want Rams or Apistogrammas or looking for both species? Both are a fabulous species to house. Most prices I've seen seem to be a general standard for Apistogramma depending on species. Anywhere from $8-$20 a piece or $15-$40 a pair, again depending on species. I havent paid any less, unless it was some special my LFS was having. In a 30 gallon I would look for and choose a pair of APISTOGRAMMA then perhaps a small schooling fish with a couple of caves, real plants, perhaps a few ottocinculus. Maybe even a couple Kuhlii loaches for bottom feeders (I haven't researched the loaches to see if they eat fish eggs :eek: )

You could also have the same set up for a pair of RAM cichlids.

2 weeks ago I would have voted for the cacatuoides. But since then I've picked up a few Rams and have enjoyed both. But Apisto's are sill my fav :)
 

CrazedAce

New Member
Only a pair in a 30gal? Not more than two? Bristlenose plecos won't work as bottom feeders? The tank currently has about six common juvenile bristlenose plecos and 8 metriaclima aurora juveniles that I am unimpressed with and am probably going to sell/trade. The tank has a bunch of anacharis that is multiplying fast, and a bunch of clay pots covering the bottom. I used to have 20 other cichlid fry in there as well with no aggression so I know its full of lovely caves.

And once I get rid of the aurora cichlids I'll probably start adding my overstock of RCS to the tank in hopes of establishing a colony in there before getting more fish.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I thought Bristlenosed Plecos ate fish eggs? I am sure you could squeeze a couple pair in your tank. From what I've experienced though Apistogramma are a little territorial. Every female you put in your tank will want a space. Every male that pairs with them may want to defend. I have 3-4 male Apistos & 3 Bolivian Rams one tank. Each with a different personality. When it comes to dinner time all bickering is put aside. But once feeding is over they all scat to their territories. The tank I am referring to is 140 gallons & I believe a "colony" is possible. It very well maybe possible to create a "colony" in a 30 gallon, and perhaps someone else may chime in with another experience but in my experience I've never housed more than 1 pair in a 30 gallon tank with the goal of breeding & successfully keeping fry.
 

CrazedAce

New Member
They probably do eat eggs, but if I were to get a mated pair in the tank, the male would be busy with his own thing and I would just have to worry about the female. I want a LOT of cover in this tank, and will probably only keep a single flat piece of granite in the tank for the apistos to spawn on.

So a bunch of cover, a RCS colony BEFORE I put fish in, a pair of bristlenose, a pair of apistos, and the rest of the space to be filled with a top/middle schooling fish, probably zebra danios. Now I just need to know where to get them. And honestly, I could go for either species, so long as the GBR are longfin.
 

gnats

New Member
While the cacatuoides and ap. baenchi were easy to breed for me, I gave up on the rams after awhile. The downside of raising apistos is the need to hatch BBS for the tiny fry since they won't eat dry food.
 

CrazedAce

New Member
I'm not worried about feeding the fry, I have my own mix of dry foods that I occasionally feed, but the fry I deem important are relocated to my pleco/rcs 10gal breeder tank that is full of infusoria and other foods that they will eat.

But alas, I may not even be getting any dwarf cichlids. I may just keep the 30gal as a grow out tank for Africans and plecos.
 

CSlater21

New Member
Hey Guys,

First post here on the forum..

Where locally can I find a good selection of Apistos??

I Have a pair of GBR now and love them but would like to add a pair of Apistos.

This should work in a 46g Planted Bowfront correct?

Thanks,
 

Anthraxx

New Member
i wouldnt reccomend mixing another group of substrate spawners in slater. in my experience they tend to fight too much to breed or live peacefully. perhaps a larger slate type spawning cichlid. angels, festivums, something in that neighborhood.
 

Cory

Administrator
Staff member
I think the fighting depends a lot on how the tank is setup. Lots of plants / line of sight blocks help.

As for selection I've got these at the store:
Trifasciata
Nijisseni
Coming in Thursday:
Cacatuoides Super reds
Orange Flash
Agassizi Double Reds
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
CSlater21 said:
Hey Guys,

First post here on the forum..

Where locally can I find a good selection of Apistos??

I Have a pair of GBR now and love them but would like to add a pair of Apistos.

This should work in a 46g Planted Bowfront correct?

Thanks,
 :king: - Hi CSlater21, welcome to the forum. Have you posted any pictures of your planted tank? 


You don't have your location on your profile. What   is  local  to  you? I usually can find good selections at Aquarium CoOp in Edmonds, Denny's Pet World in Kirkland, The Fish Store in Seattle, A Place for Pets in Burien, Bridges in Snohomish, Jones and Co in Marysville! there is also a couple places further up North in Clark Wa and Mount Vernon area. I would defiantly call to see what they have available. 
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Aquarium Co-Op said:
I think the fighting depends a lot on how the tank is setup. Lots of plants / line of sight blocks help.

As for selection I've got these at the store:
Trifasciata
Nijisseni
Coming in Thursday:
Cacatuoides Super reds
Orange Flash
Agassizi Double Reds
 :spoton: - I just picked up a beautiful male Nijisseni from here, B E A utiful fish. 

 

ShortyKiloGyrl

Well-Known Member
Staff member
All 3 that cory has listed coming in thursday were on my top list as common apistos that I wanted. Wish I had the room! I can't part with my current fish though. So I will have to wait. Good luck!
 

CSlater21

New Member
Guys thanks for the warm welcome and replies.

Great start here at the Fishbox.

I will get some pics of the tank up later. Currently there is still quite a bit of open site from side to side. Knowing that, the Apistos and the Rams are not gonna get along to well huh..

What about putting in a couple Electric Blue Rams to accompany the GBR's?

Thanks again!!
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
CSlater21 said:
Guys thanks for the warm welcome and replies.

Great start here at the Fishbox.

I will get some pics of the tank up later. Currently there is still quite a bit of open site from side to side. Knowing that, the Apistos and the Rams are not gonna get along to well huh..

What about putting in a couple Electric Blue Rams to accompany the GBR's?

Thanks again!!
I have Apistogramma and rams together . They do fine keeping to themselves. But if you wish to breed best to do so in a species tank, or something larger if ypu wan tto house together.
 
Top