Apistogramma stocking query for 5 ft planted community tank

[David Moses Heng]

Folks,

i have been reading up on all the apisto threads and was thinking of getting my first pair after Aug(moving house) where i will have a 5 by 2(depth) by 20" built in with sump.

My question here is how many pairs of breeding apisto can i have for the 5 feet planted?

The mates(intended list) are: Peruvian angels, altum angels, cardinals and oto.

Pleases advise.

Cheers!!

[wasabi8888]

Apistogrammas with angels? Even if they breed, unless there are lot of hiding places, unlikely the fries will survive to adulthood........

[David Moses Heng]

i think hidding place is not an issue as i intended to furnish it extensively with p;ants.

[PLee]

i believe it will be difficult to feed your babies apistos also. The tank is really very big for apisto, plus there are so many predators out there for the babaies.

But if you do it as a show tank, I think it will be very nice

[valice]

It is possible to have the fries to survive. I have seen a pair of A.macmasteri breeding in a 6ft tank in Green Chapter. But the problem will be the angels.

Angels will feed much faster than the apistogrammas. So you willl need to feed quite an amount so that the apistogrammas can reach them.

Or, you can first introduce the apistogrammas, then the angels. Give the former some sort of a head start in staking their territories.

As for stocking levels, I believe you can go up to 2-3 pairs as long as there are alot of hiding spaces. Besides using plants, create caves as shelter. Gives refuge to those being pestered constantly.

But seriously, I would think, why not just keep angels. Take out the apistogrammas out of the equation?

[David Moses Heng]

good suggestions. Anyway, whn i moved, i will have about 4 tanks together with the 5 feeter(haven't plus the sump tank). maybe i will just set up one of my current two feet as a apisto tank?