HeY DuDE I keep my cara Pintada in soft slightly acidic water, temps in the upper 70s, pH of around 6.0 to 6.5 and water hardness in the < 50ppm. This just happens to be what my tap water is like and they breed just fine in those water conditions... I dont know if they are like that in their natural habitat but my breeders were wild caught fish and did just well in those conditions. John ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@listbox.com. apisto-digest@listbox.com also available. Web archives at http://lists.thekrib.com/apisto Trading at http://blox.dropship.org/mailman/listinfo/apisto_trader