Re: Apisto beginner

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

On Mon, 11 Jan 1999, Klaus Vancamelbeke wrote:

> The two tanks are a 20 gallon (90x30x30cm; 35x12x12")
> and a 15 gallon (60x30x40cm; 23x12x16").

Just to give a different perspective on this than the previous reply,
Kathy & I spawn our Apistos in 10's and 20's, so you're good to go with
these two tanks for *one* species.  You definitely will need a place to
remove the male and/or the pair to in case of problems.

> Water conditions are the same as in the krib tank:
> ph 6.4, Gh and Kh both 4, Temp 260C (790F).
> I think these conditions are good for any of the four species
> mentioned below?

The hardness levels are a little high for the more delicate species.  Out
of your list, I'd say the one you'll be able to spawn here will be A.
cacatuoides.  One thing that puzzles me, though, is that with those
hardness values you should have a pH of around 7.2 unless you are
injecting CO2 or adding other buffers.

> I was thinking of getting a harem of three female and
> one male agassizii for the 20.
> Is this a good idea? Is agassizii actually a good
> (apisto)beginner fish? Or are there easier ones (to care
> for and breed) among the four mentioned?

Now here's where I think you'd be overstepping the bounds of the tank.
Just get a pair for the 20.  I don't think agassizii are good beginner
fish.  cacatuoides are, though. 

> Till this point I always used danio's as dithers/targets.

Too skittish!

> I've read about some tetras and killies and came up
> with these species:
> - Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Over here, too expensive.  We go for P. innesi (neon tetras), or white
clouds (Tanichthys something?) because they breed profusely and are very
inexpensive. Others recommend marble hatchetfish (no sci name, sorry).

  - Erik

-- 
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com



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