Altum Angels with Apistogramma bitaenita ?

[Captain Telecredible]

Hi guys,
Currently planning to add some Altum Angels into my 4x2x2 tank. Wonder if these Altum will do any harm to my Apistogramma Bitaenita 'Paracuuba' and 'Tefe Bauana' other than these apistogramms, my tank also houses 150 cardinal tetras, 15 Oto, 2 Cories. The tank is also pretty heavily planted. Any recommandations on where to get Altums? Thanks for the help.

Cheers!

[genes]

I know someone who keeps a pair of borelli with his altums and heckles in a 4ft without problems. So it may work out for you too.

[Toshika]

the altums will certainly not harm the apistos but the tetra maybe eaten up once the altum's mouth can fit one of them in.ottos and cories no problem.however, i think your tank is abit too crowded.you may want to reduce some bioload.just my thoughts.

[illumnae]

The question is too wide to answer without some parameters being set first:

1. Are the altums adult or juvenile?
2. Are the A. bitaeniatas adult or juvenile?

Adult altums can certain eat juvenile apistogramma. However, I have T. candidi and A. iniridae with my teenage (~6 inch tip to tip) altums and heckels and they aren't being harassed. I've also kept a juvenile pair of A. bitaeniata with juvenile (3-4 inch tip to tip) altums in a growout/QT tank safely. Worst case scenario I can think of is with teenage altums and juvenile apistos. The altums may try to eat the apisto, but the apisto may be slightly too big for it. It may end up such that the altum chokes on the apisto and both end up dead.

3. Do you intend to breed the A. bitaeniata?

If so, forget it. The altum can and will eat the fry. Further, the defensive mother may choose to attack the foraging altums and either fish may end up mauled/injured/dead.

4. What's your feeding regime?

Hungry altums will take more risk with hunting for food than well fed ones.

The bottom line is really: do you want to take the risk? Altums, being mostly wild, have hunting instinct that we can't predict. I believe that it can be done. but whether it should be done, is a different story altogether. I put in 2 pairs of apistos with my altums knowing the risk. Just be aware of the risk when/if you do so in future and don't get too upset if the gamble ends up in a loss.

[barmby]

There will be risk as you are adding Altums so late in the game. Be mindful as they are cichlids afterall.

[Captain Telecredible]

the altums will certainly not harm the apistos but the tetra maybe eaten up once the altum's mouth can fit one of them in.ottos and cories no problem.however, i think your tank is abit too crowded.you may want to reduce some bioload.just my thoughts.

Haha.. Yes will try reducing the bioload once i got my 2ft tank running. Thanks for the thoughts anyway! Cheers.

[Captain Telecredible]

The question is too wide to answer without some parameters being set first:

1. Are the altums adult or juvenile?
2. Are the A. bitaeniatas adult or juvenile?

Adult altums can certain eat juvenile apistogramma. However, I have T. candidi and A. iniridae with my teenage (~6 inch tip to tip) altums and heckels and they aren't being harassed. I've also kept a juvenile pair of A. bitaeniata with juvenile (3-4 inch tip to tip) altums in a growout/QT tank safely. Worst case scenario I can think of is with teenage altums and juvenile apistos. The altums may try to eat the apisto, but the apisto may be slightly too big for it. It may end up such that the altum chokes on the apisto and both end up dead.

3. Do you intend to breed the A. bitaeniata?

If so, forget it. The altum can and will eat the fry. Further, the defensive mother may choose to attack the foraging altums and either fish may end up mauled/injured/dead.

4. What's your feeding regime?

Hungry altums will take more risk with hunting for food than well fed ones.

The bottom line is really: do you want to take the risk? Altums, being mostly wild, have hunting instinct that we can't predict. I believe that it can be done. but whether it should be done, is a different story altogether. I put in 2 pairs of apistos with my altums knowing the risk. Just be aware of the risk when/if you do so in future and don't get too upset if the gamble ends up in a loss.

Ok thanks for the info bro. I have decided to add in around 3-4 pieces of altums. By the way, do anyone knows where to get altums?

[illumnae]

it'll be best to add altums in groups of at least 5. this is to spread the aggression and make sure that no 1 piece is picked on till it withers and dies.

as for getting altums...wait till july when the season begins again, be prepared to pay a premium for people letting go of pieces they don't want anymore, or get 1/2 dead ones that suppliers kept waiting to let go during off-season period. a batch just came in recently. I wouldn't have taken that batch even if it was free...