Which species of Apistogramma would you buy from ApistoWorld, Hong Kong?

[carlfsk]

Hey guys, I am toying with the idea of getting some fish from HK. If it were you, which types will you bring in?

I am eyeing Apistogramma diplotaenia. But the site for apistoworld got too many drooling pics. Such a difficult choice for me.

[wks]

Unless you have someone to carry the fish back for you, it will be difficult to bring in from HK without a valid license from AVA. I checked with Apistoworld, he does not export to Singapore.
I maybe wrong though, some experts can comment on this?

[Wackytpt]

Hi,

Nothing beats selecting the fishes yourself.

Apistoworld doesn't frieght to Singapore.

The only way is to get someone to bring it back from Singapore.

[carlfsk]

Ya, will be arranging someone to hand carry it back.

Just like to know which are the worthwhile species to hand carry back.

[Wackytpt]

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

Beside you need to choose. Can't just judge that all the speciemen are the same like the pictures as they might have different pair.

[valice]

You will definitely get a different pair from the photo.
And you might get a bad pair (meaning stomach "pain"), like one of our members did when he ordered from overseas and got someone to bring over.

And sadly, the fish went up to heaven not long after.

Best is you can pick your own fish or the person who is picking for you knows the fish.

[Wackytpt]

I agree with vincent. It is best to select the pair yourself or someone whom is experienced to get them back.

[Cacatuoides]

Thats right, its really more worth while if you could sit in the shop and slowly choose the fish yourself....

As for species, it depends on your personal preference, different people focus on different aspects of an apisto, for example:color, finnage, body shape, unique behaviour, etc.

[leeruisheng]

Agree with all comments. Yeah, I think it really depends on own preference. Someone may suggest to get in the more exotic and rare ones but if you're not interested in that species, you will not be enjoying their existence in time to come. And wouldn't be fulfilling.

[genes]

I would say, if you've got no choice, you could of course get your friend to bring over for you. Just give him afew pointers to choose the apistos. Example, deformed finnages, sunken belly, any visible external sores or diseases and bad posture are some things to look out for.

[wasabi8888]

Agree with Vincent and Eman...

better to choose yourself.... when you land with a bad pair, the best thing is they end up dead.. the worst thing is you end up with a pair that does not mate... really big headache.. cant get rid and also cannot multiply....

if one of the pair goes to heaven, also very hard to replace due to the lack of the species here....

[Cacatuoides]

It is important to look into the difficulty of caring for different species.....the setup may affect the keeping of the fish, such if the fish requires rather low ph, etc....some apistos may look very tempting but care for them may be a little demanding getting them to breed may be a problem if you provide them with the wrong water parameters and "furniture" setup too....

ps. not all apistos are cave spawners

[carlfsk]

Well guys, thanks for all your advice. You guys are really helpful.

I am still learning about these fishes. Thus might or might not be getting from overseas at the moment. Cos in local market, there seems to be limited in the variety availability. Just looking for alternate source for such interesting fishes.

[valice]

Best source is Jeepun!

[Cacatuoides]

It will be advisable for beginners to start off keeping easy and less-demanding apistos to learn more about them such as their behaviour, eating and breeding patterns before jumping into exotic and expensive species with are more demanding and may be sensitive as well....

my 2 cents

[benny]

I wouldn't recommend sending these fishes via post/freight. It's cumbersome and you can potentially end up with dead fishes due to delays and our stringent security checks. Then there is the issue of the legality of "importing" fishes yourself without the valid paper work if the authorities discover that it's livestock in the package.

ApistoWorld does have great fishes, but the location is not exactly easy to find. Make sure your friend have enough time. The shop also need enough time to pack the fish for you to minimise stress. Packing is done normally only on the day of flight/shipment itself. On Tung Choy Street, that is another 3 to 4 shops that has Apistogrammas too. Some of them are not bad.

In any case, I will be going up to Hong Kong and Taipei soon and will be helping some of our members here with their "Wish list". Look out for a pre trip gathering for the Apistogramma gang in the next few weeks.

Cheers,

[doppelbanddwarf]

In any case, I will be going up to Hong Kong and Taipei soon and will be helping some of our members here with their "Wish list". Look out for a pre trip gathering for the Apistogramma gang in the next few weeks.

Cheers,

Wow time to get some new apistogrammas. Time to save up!!!