Mixing apistoes

[valice]

Issit possible to have 2 different types of dwarf ciclids in a 1.5x1x1 tank?
I intend to set one up and have maybe 3 rams and another apisto species... Haven't decide which now...

And maybe a school of pygmy cories... and 1 puffer... Too much?

[benny]

Vincent,

I would suggest that you skip the pygmy corydoras. If you need some dither fishes, try pencilfishes instead.

As for mixing dwarf cichlids, if your aquascape or tank layout has plenty of hiding space and there is no line of sight between the two pairs, you might have a chance that they will not clobber each other to death should one of the two pairs decide to spawn.

Cheers,

[benetay]

I'll suggest no puffer, no cories, nothing other then apisto and pencil fish.

1.5 is a little small even if it's densely planted. The frequency of seeing each other is still very high. Moreover the perimeter the male guards might be be tight, so if the apisto decides to spawn, the rams will have trouble finding space to hide.

You can try putting in 2 female rams instead so they'll not spawn but if the apisto spawn, it's still deadly.

if you'll like to put 2 pairs of dwarf cichlids together maybe a 4footer and above might be a better choice. i've tried 3 ft last time, doesn't work .

Either that you'll have to put male only .

[valice]

Like that then I will just keep rams in the 1st tank then... Next time then do another tank for the apisto...

[benny]

Like that then I will just keep rams in the 1st tank then... Next time then do another tank for the apisto...

If you can do so, that will be best. I'm sure the rams will breed and reward you handsomely. But beware.....dwarf cichlids can be rather addictive once you get started.

Cheers,

[bclee]

In my experience, it did not work when I have 1 male ram with 2 female ram in a 2-footer. Ram seems to only pair with 1 other ram, unlike apisto. The results was the unpaired female ram did not survive the constant harassing from the pair.

BC

[benetay]

In my experience, it did not work when I have 1 male ram with 2 female ram in a 2-footer. Ram seems to only pair with 1 other ram, unlike apisto. The results was the unpaired female ram did not survive the constant harassing from the pair.

BC

Thats right. Rams are not polygamy spawners i think whereas some of the apisto are polygamy harem spawners.

Rams are open substrate breeders, whereas apisto are cave spawners so you might take not of it.

[valice]

Thanx Benetay... Else I would have included a cave in the scape for the rams... In that case I will not have one for the rams tank...