Re: Spawning Luelingi

[IDMiamiBob <IDMiamiBob@aol.com>]

Doug writes:

<<  
 > I am interested in suggestions on how to get my A. luelingi to spawn. I
 > have had no major problems getting my other apistos to spawn, but this pair
 > is difficult and especially the male luelingi does not seem interested.
 > 
 > They are in a 10G tank with 6 bloodfin tetras and 3 serpae tetras. There is
 > lots of cover including a log, inverted clay flower pot, half coconut
 > shell, a large clump of Java moss and numerous other plants. The female
 > displayed her spawning colors once maybe 2 months ago (bright yellow, and
 > lateral line changes to one black spot) but that's been it. Other than that
 > the male mostly chases the female around (just a little) or keeps to his
 > corner of the tank that he has staked out. He's the most skittish male
 > apisto I've had and will hide at almost any sudden occurence.
 > 
 > Water is currently peat filtered, pH=4.8 with a gH of 15 ppm. I have varied
 > the water from pH=6.0 gH = 110ppm, to almost pure distilled water at pH=5.5
 > to what it is now. I have tried biweekly %25 water changes and weekly %40
 > water changes. I have fed them flakes, freeze dried and frozen bloodworms
 > and frozen prawn eggs. I currently feed just the frozen foods. I've had
 > luck with others by seperating them or moving them to a community tank for
 > 2 weeks then moving them back together in a 10G tank with dithers. I
 > haven't tried it with the luelingi yet as space is limited.
 > 
 > Any help is appreciated.
 > 
 > -Doug Brown >>

Here are some suggestions of things that have made a difference for me in
times past with particularly tough Apistos:

~Very dark substrate, preferably black or very dark brown.  This simulates
more closely the dark bottom of waters covered with dark rotting leaves.
~Spray paint the back of the tank black.  If the tank is already set up, black
construuction paper might work.  This simulates the riverbank or lake shore.
~Floating plants to make them feel less vulnerable from above.

The above three tricks all help make a skittish fish less skittish.

~live misquito larvae.  frozen igood, live is better.  There is something in
it that isn't in other foods.  Some amino acid or something.
~Peat filtering.  Your water is already soft and acidic enough, but peat will
add natural tannins and other compounds to the water.  Keep an eye on it,
though, you won't want a 
pH crash. 
~move them to a tank that is in a back, out-of-the-way corner, where they will
have less commotion around them.

Just ideas.  I have never had luelingi, but the above things have all improved
my luck at one time or another with other Apistos I have had.

Bob Dixon