RE: Tank Size For Breeding Apisto

["Ed Pon" <edpon@hotmail.com>]

Tank size is a trade-off.  Larger tanks require less frequent 
care--smaller tanks allow you to keep more tanks and work with a greater 
variety of fish.  I have spawned several types of apistos in 5 1/2 
gallon tanks.  I believe the trick is having enough vegetation in the 
tank so the fish don't constantly see each other when they are not 
getting along.  I think it was in Vierke's dwarf cichlid book that I 
read a recommendation of filling up the tank with big rocks (it's been a 
long time since I read it so I might not be recalling accurately) to 
create hiding spaces.  

Regarding lighting--if color rendition is not important to you, Home 
Depot carries 18 inch flourescent light fixtures, complete with 
flourescent lights) from Lights of America.  They are labeled 
under-cabinet lights. They seem to be pretty good with plant growth.  
They cost $6.80 cents the last time I bought them and are about 19 
inches long (just longer than a ten gallon tank).