Re: Collected Simple Questions

[Frauley/Elson <fraulels@minet.ca>]

I'll take a step into the debate Doug's questions will raise, so here
goes for what I feel I can try to answer:
> 
> 2) Are there any problems with adding fry from successive spawns to a one
> species fry tank? Obviously you have to stop at some point but when?
Bigger fry often do in younger fish, although I have raised two spawns
together. With cacatuoides, a third spawn vanished, so I set myself a
rule for two together (this was in a 36 inch tank). I only experimented
once. It was enough of a disaster to satisfy me.
> 
> 3) Why are African cichlids more popular than apistos?
Personal opinion - I love my apistos, but East African lake cichlids
often blow them away on primary colours. Pseudotropheus are solid chunks
of in-your-face fish! They're much more likely to match the curtains. 
Apistos are discrete in comparison, especially in bare overstocked store
tanks. I like subtle, but hey, I know I'm a minority.
Also, from what I've seen, most of us have naturally harder water, so
lake cichlids are easier to keep, for us and for the all important pet
stores.
The REAL cool African cichlids, West African dwarfs, are only popular on
this list.

> 
> 5) Any hints on spawning apistos specifically in 10G and smaller tanks? I
> seem to have no problems with even my most difficult apistos once I move
> them to 29G or 55G but I have had zero spawns in my 10's or 5 and am
> therefore hesitant to consider stocking a fish room with them!

I use 20s or 15s. I've never spawned an apisto in anything less than a
24 inch tank. Possibly, it's a question of having time for water
changes. 
> 6) Lighting. I am amazed that people are getting away with using so little
> light with apistos! I have always noticed that in dim or no light my fish
> are really pale and just hide somewhere and sleep. They basically only come
> out when the hood light is on. Am I missing something here? Do the fish
> just get used to less light? Is it better?

I find bright ambient lighting works well for apistos. By this I mean
timed ceiling fluorescents throwing out a good general glow(I have 4 2
bulb strips in my 10x12 fishroom). I just took it as reflection of
rainforest habitats - not all the light must get through, especially
when the forest floods. I do put smaller lights close to a lot of my
apisto tanks, but that's for me to enjoy their colours.
Gary
> 
> Thanks for reading,
> 
> -Doug Brown
> debrown@kodak.com


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