Re: Apisto tank, please help!

[Mike & Diane Wise <apistowise@bewellnet.com>]

Arthit,

Welcome to the Apisto List. I will try to answer your questions:


> 1. How to set up an apisto tank? I intend to have 24" tank (about 20+
> gallon) with sponge filter, with a think layer of dark gravel.

Your tank is a good size for breeding most apistos. For breeding, use 1 pair or
1 male & 2 females. I use sponge filters in my tank. Most breeders do, but any
filter will work as long as the do not move the water strongly or suck in the
fry.  A 2 - 3 cm deep layer of fine gravel (or coarse sand) will be all that
you need for the bottom. Many breeders do not use any sand at all. This makes
it easier to clean the tanks. Make sure that you have 1 or more caves for each
apisto. This provides them each with a cave to hide or breed in. Plants are
helpful, too, but not absolutely necessary.

> 2.How about the water chemistry, pH, kH and dH? Is is a must to maintain
> the pH below 7 for apisto? (Water in my area is about 7.6 pH.)

Water chemistry depends on the fish species. Most apistos will live very well
in water that is moderately hard and slightly alkaline, but breeding will
usually require soft & acid water. For A. cacatuoides your water may be OK just
like it is. (You do not say how hard the water is.). For A. agassizii the water
needs to be softer (< 10º dH), with a pH around 6.3 - 6.8. There are other
species from blackwater streams that require even softer, more acid, water
conditions.

You should be able to soften & acidify your water using dead brown leaves
collected in the forest streams of your country. Bettas from your country live
in similar water conditions to apistos. Find the leaves that turn the water
brown. Rinse the leaves and boil the for 5 minutes to sterilize them. Then you
can use them like we use peat in the US to acidify & soften the water. You
might want to use this "leaf water" on some other common fish first. You do not
want to kill your apistos by accidentally using a leaf with poison.

> 3.How important of dither fish?

1 or 2 small fish that live at the top of the tank help keep apistos from being
shy. The apistos will be out in the open more often and may feel more inclined
to breed. The dither fish also help when there are fry in the tank. They keep
the parents "on guard" and they are less likely to attack each other or thier
fry. Make sure the dither fish are smaller than your apistos or they may start
eating the fry. Cardinal tetras are famous for this. Dither fish are not
abosolutely necessary, but I think they help most apisto species.

> 4.Any more suggestions?

Check "the Krib" web site (www.thekrib.com). It has a lot of good information.

>  I might try to get Mayland's book from the U.S. in the future? Is it a good
> book to have?

Your English appears to be very good. If you buy Mayland & Bork's book, you may
find their English a bit hard to read. This is because they used translators
whose English is not their first language. The book's English has a very
"German-like" grammar, if you understand my meaning.  My personal preference
for an English language dwarf cichlid book is Linke & Staeck's book "American
Cichlids I - Dwarf Cichlids". This book is not printed anymore and may be hard
to find. Both books will give you useful information.

Mike Wise

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