Personal Basic Tips & Setup for keeping South American Dwarf Cichlids

[dbcyeo]

Noted that there are some basic questions on apisto keeping. So I thought that I will share a few of my setup for those who want to start out on apisto keeping. The setup and maintenance will vary between hobbist and apistos are flexible enough to survivie in differnet types of tanks.

Rational & Benefit of these 2 tank setup:
1. Easy maintenace - as in cleaning of tank and changing of water.
2. Found it ideal and easier for taking pictures and enjoying the beauty of the fishes.
3. Apistos have spawned for me a couple of times in these simple setups.
4. Relatively low cost

Setup
1. Tank Size - Using 5 Plan tank Medium Size (14in x 11in x 9in)
The minimum I have been successful with the tank size is the small version of 5 plan, but found the female to be stressed alot more.

2. Soil - Using leftover Dennerle soil.
Most hobbist use ADA soil to bring down the PH. But I prefer quartz cos it barely clouds my tank when tank is being cleaned or water is changed. Found it better for my photography too as I don't need the soil to settle down before taking pictures. As such, soil is not necessarily a key concern if you can bring the PH down.

3. Misc - Add a couple pieces of wood or plants for your liking. I keep it minimal because I want to see the fish and not play hide and seek with it. Key thing is that if the tank has a few hiding places or big enough for the apistos to run from each other is fine.

4. Filter - Am using a simple sponge filter normally used for guppies i believe.

5. Dither fishes - Used to encourage the apisto to pair up and relieve the stress on the fishes I believe. I don't always use dithers, but I believe Tetras are widely recommended. I just use whatever I can get hold of.

Parameters
Water PH - Between 4.5 to 6. Depending on species. Please note that I do use Amtra Oak bark extract to bring down the PH of the water.
Temperature - Between 28 to 30 degress celcius

Maintenance
1. Water change 50% in mid week.
2. Water change 100% on weekends.
3. I try to at least clean the front side of the tank to enable easy photo taking.
4. Please use anti cholrine and choloramine to treat your water.

Diet & Feeding
1. Feeding it mostly on pellets (Tetrabits Complete) twice a day.
2. Weekends will get them live brine shrimps.
3. Baby Brime Shrimps is excellent, but it means that you need to hatch them everyday.
4. Do not recommend using other live feed unless you put in some effort to clean them and even then you run the risks of introducing diesease to the fishes.

Have attached 2 pictures of my tanks for your reference. Good luck and welcome to apisto keeping. Hope to see more keepers of this fishes.

Those experienced apistos keepers are welcome to add on any further tips you have.

[benny]

Good information for those starting out! I'll put it up as a sticky!

However, do take note that there is always more than one way to success. So do learn and share!

Cheers,

[Giant]

Woah the water is soo clear it looks like your fish are swimming/floating in mid-air.

[sheng]

Maintenance
1. Water change 50% in mid week.
2. Water change 100% on weekends.

Wonder is it safe to do so much water change?

[benny]

Wonder is it safe to do so much water change?

As long as the water is conditioned, it's fine. It's always good to give your fishes clean water.

Alternatively, provide big tanks for a very small number of fishes. I remember benetay use to restrict himself to no more than 4 pairs in a 6 ft tank!! That's discipline!

Cheers.

[sheng]

i thought sudden change of water parameter is harmful for the fish

[benny]

i thought sudden change of water parameter is harmful for the fish

Sheng,

It's a drastic change in water parameters that is bad for the fish.

Large water change with the same parameters are fine for the fishes. That's why some apistogramma keepers has water holding tanks with the pH already adjusted to be the same as the breeding tanks. I know it sounds extreme, but some folks swear by it.

Cheers,

[sheng]

ok, thanks for the information
Of all the forums, AQ is the best . Always so active here

[dbcyeo]

Giant, the reason my tank has alot of space is because I also want to be able to take pictures of the fishes when I want. Also helps me in being able to view the fishes rather than to just catch a glimpse of it. It's not necessarily close to the wild environment of the fish, but it's the most ideal for viewing.

I do advocate change of water regulary as I do believe it helps spur the growth of the fishes. Seen it with the fries and other fishes that I keep. As what Benny has pointed out, water parameters have to kept as close as possible. For the record, I have even changed the water for fries tank every two days after the first two weeks with low to no casualty rates.

Btw, this is only one example of how I keep some of the apistos. There are also many other viable setups and methods that other hobbists can share.

[benetay]

As long as the water is conditioned, it's fine. It's always good to give your fishes clean water.

Alternatively, provide big tanks for a very small number of fishes. I remember benetay use to restrict himself to no more than 4 pairs in a 6 ft tank!! That's discipline!

Cheers.

it only has a trio...1 male 3 female, from there you can see superterritorial behavior.

[iwishweallcouldwin]

like your minimalistic approach, looks real neat and cool!

[PLee]

how many can we keep in a 2 ft tank???

[valice]

In a 2ft, to prevent too much fighting and chasing and stuff, maximum recommendation is a trio. Meaning either 2males, if it is the Dicrossus family, and 1 female or 1male and 2female.

[PLee]

thanx guys!!! Will be starting a Trio soon !!! I am excited again !@!@!@

[Cacatuoides]

Welcome to the club! Enjoy your stay as there is hardly any exit points!!

[taygu]

Have different species for more enjoyment..

[trident]

Hi,
I am new to dwarf cichlid, just got a pair of agasizii last weekend.
Really like your setup, hope to emulate it.

Richard

[Wackytpt]

Hi Richard,

So you finally decide on buying the pair last sunday with Yi Xiang.

Do create your own post and post your current setup.

Don't feel shy about it.

We all will learn from each other. I told Yi Xiang before too.

If you need help, can pm or email me

Cheers

[trident]

Nicholas,
Yes, finally decided to get the pair of agassizii.
Yi Xiang was very kind to help me along.
Sure I'll try to post more when the photo is ready.
Thanks
Richard

[illumnae]

the slowly growing apisto keepers club =) i'm about to embark on my 2nd pair!