Housing several pairs of dwarf cichlids or Apistogramma in a 4 feet tank

[stormchild]

Is it wise to house several pairs of apistos or dwarf cichlids in a 4 feet tank? All different species. heavily planted of course.

[cricha]

Hi stormchild,

I used to have a pair of A borelli & A macmasteri in my 3' heavily planted tank. I didn't have any problems.

I have since replaced the A borelli with a pair of Pelvicachromis taeniatus. So far so good, but then both pairs have yet to spawn.

[genes]

Of course you can have more then a pair a tank. However, with more pairs in a tank. The dorminant male and female will chase the other pairs when they have line of sight. Providing lots of hiding place will help. But don't be surprised to see some torn finnages off and on and never rule out deaths from fights.

[JL23]

Hi,

I had ever housed about 10 pairs of apistos in a 4ft X 2ft X 1.5ft planted tank. At first, there will be lotsa agression. After about a week or so, just the normal pecking. They even breeded in there. Survival rate of fries is zero for me The pair can't protect fries from so many other fishes. I guess the good thing of keeping them together, is you get to see their behaviour and they flare often. Bad thing is that, the fries will always be gone.

Another person I know who had apisto comm tank before is Julian (if you guys know him). Ever saw him having apisto fries in a comm tank too.

[stormchild]

Wow. Ten pairs. i'm not looking at that many... probaby just 5 pairs. Thanks for sharing your experiences everyone.

[Samuel2618]

Hi,

I had ever housed about 10 pairs of apistos in a 4ft X 2ft X 1.5ft planted tank. At first, there will be lotsa agression. After about a week or so, just the normal pecking. They even breeded in there. Survival rate of fries is zero for me The pair can't protect fries from so many other fishes. I guess the good thing of keeping them together, is you get to see their behaviour and they flare often. Bad thing is that, the fries will always be gone.

Another person I know who had apisto comm tank before is Julian (if you guys know him). Ever saw him having apisto fries in a comm tank too.

Wow.. Ten pairs.. But can I really house a pair of A. Nijsenni with the rest of the Apisto? I tried once and the Nij were very aggressive.. Nearly torn the other new comers apart..

Also can Inka be housed with the rest of the Apisto in a common tank as well? Looks very fierce to me too..


Regards