Re-visiting Apistos

[EdwinTay]

bro joeybabooey - You are most welcome to visit. I already have 9 tanks ready for apistos (everything ready, even ditter neon tetras). But as I mentioned I have to convert the rest of my albino guppies. If any of you guys know anyone who wants to swap albino guppies for 1 ft glass tanks ( total of 9 pieces), please let me know.

bro joopsg - I was toying with the idea of a partitioned 2 ft tank. However, I decided against it because from my experience, the 2 pairs of apistos will spend their time flaring. If I use different 1 ft tanks, I can use a plastic sheet to block (a.k.a. betta keeping). My biggest concern is the need for frequent water change - I really hate it (after my betta & albino guppy experiences). I have used zeolite chips with limited success.

[joopsg]

For partition, i used opaque acrylic. so not so much flaring.

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[stormhawk]

@joeybabooey,

You should get a decent sized styrofoam box with several breather bags to pack the fish in. I brought back fish alive from a trip to Penang last year in a small Hikari Bloodworm styro box. Last trip back from Japan and Hong Kong, the fish came back in a larger box.

@EdwinTay,

Problem with partition is that the gap at the sides is very hard to keep closed to fry that may wander between the partitions. I did this before with the regular acrylic partitions from C328, but the gaps at the side were not easily closed, even with pieces of sponge sandwiched at the gaps. Either you devote a specific tank for them, or go with permanent partitions to be safe. That way, no fry will wander from one partition to the next.

[joeybabooey]

@joeybabooey,

You should get a decent sized styrofoam box with several breather bags to pack the fish in. I brought back fish alive from a trip to Penang last year in a small Hikari Bloodworm styro box. Last trip back from Japan and Hong Kong, the fish came back in a larger box.

Yea bro stormhawk, i just bought some kordon breather bags from another bro here. Was thinking to get a water tight cooler box instead or styrofoam box, i need to figure that out because of of the shrimps i want to keep the temperature as stable as possible. Or hope and pray i have space in the luggage and have separate boxes. I have never done this before so it will be quite the experience =)

bro Edwin,
I'm looking forward to your return and meet up with you and others here and to share apisto setups and experiences =) About your albino guppies and glass tanks... im afraid i dont know anyone that might help as my 'kakis' are all 'predatory fish' keepers... i am the first of them to go back to smaller fishes. But I will keep a lookout still! I am building back up a circle of apisto 'kakis' =)

[alfredliow316]

For tank partition, I think it's better to use a piece of glass and to seal off all edges.
I think it's 'safer' to prevent fishes from either sides from entering the opposite space. Can also keep the fries safe with their parents.
To avoid them from flaring, I use another piece of corrugated plastic sheet and cut to size so that it fits just nicely without any use of glue/silicon/sucker etc.

[EdwinTay]

bro Joeybabooey - Yes, we will meet. With rgds to yr HK trip, I did bring back apistos which I packed in check-in luggage many years ago. I put the fish in plastic bottles (similar to those mineral water types) but, I did it only a few hours before the flight. I was lucky because I had 100% survival rate. I think the plane cargo hold temperature is much colder. bro Stormhaw's styroform idea is great as even the professionals are doing it. If you think styroform boxes are too big, go to the supermarket ice cream section where the potong ice cream is - the styroform box is just the right size for 1-2 pairs.

bro alfredliow316 - I actually managed to partition 2 ft tank into 3. The apistos survived but did not breed because of flaring at each other.

[Stormz]

How about the box used for holding the frozen bloodworm, I'm gonna use the styrofoam box for containing prawns when fishing, I have a slimmer type and might be bringing some pairs back from HK if I can find. Now keeping small fishes in my 1ft cube to cycle till the apistos come in.

[alfredliow316]

bro alfredliow316 - I actually managed to partition 2 ft tank into 3. The apistos survived but did not breed because of flaring at each other.

Add more plants like moss/java fern etc, or rocks and wood to block out the view.
Allowing them to flare non stop is kind off stressful for the fishes, I think.
Long term stress= sickness!

[stormhawk]

I used the Hikari FBW box that I got from C328. Aunty was going to throw it anyway but she gave me one. One box of that size can hold up to 3 pairs if you pack it right. 4 pairs is possible too since the flight time from HK to SG is quite short. The box prevents the fish from getting temperature shock, since the styrofoam box shields them from the colder temperatures in the cargo hold of the plane.

If you use the styrofoam fishing box, it will fit in bigger luggages. However, if the box does not sit properly, you need to place clothes or something as padding around it, to prevent the box from shaking too much in transit. Last thing you want is a damaged styrofoam box with leaking bags. Best to ensure that the box has a good fit or is held in place properly. I usually place it right at the bottom of the luggage. The fish can handle some "knocks". Same with shrimp if you keep the shaking to a minimum. Then again you can't be sure how gentle the airport cargo crew are with your luggage.

To keep the temperature in the box stable, you can use those heat packs that are sold for winter climates or at travel stores. I think OG still sells these, especially at OG PP at the winter coat section. In my experience, short trips don't require this heat pack. It's more for long trips, say from Europe back to Singapore.