Most popular Apistogramma Species

[eddy planer]

hi folks,

Planning to purchase those brillant coloured Apistogramma fishes.

I wonder what is the most popular, hardiest and most colourful among all Apistogramma species. I'm getting very confuse the characteristic of diiferent kinds of Apistogramma... all react differently.

I bought 1 pair male and female Apistogramma ( dont know the name , it had yellow and orange fins) for about $85 per pair last 3 years ago from Biotope Bukit Merah after the Luohan era. And placed the pair among community 4 ft tank But the awesome pair died on me instead ...after 1 week later.So i give up those Apistogramma as my exotic faunas. the reason is too pricey .

After reading all the threads, I have realized most Apistogramma's forummers are very zealous and had it under control without any difficulty. So i have decide to plan to keep and rear Apistogramma again thru this cichlid thread's decidate advise and guidance.

So can i still place any pair Apistogramma fishes to my Lampeyes , S.P galaxy(Celestichthys margaritatus.), 12 cherries,3 yamatos and 2 pairs of Killies(Nothobranchius rachovii Beira )?

My 4ft tank's parameter > water PH is 5.5-6, 25 degree C , filter system: 1 fluval 404 and pre filter cum C02 reactor(powerd by external pump of 1300l/hr) and water skimmer and soon getting another canister FX5 in Feb to replace both 404 (1300l/hr) and external pump of 1300l/hr

the question is too much strong h20 circulation from 2 pumps of 1300l/hr or another high powered FX5 of 3000l/hr suitable for the Apistogramma species to stay comfortable?

Please advise...apistogramma gurus?

[illumnae]

I see a few questions in your post, so i'll try and address them to the best of my knowledge.

1. Currently, the most popular of the hardy apistos from what i'm seeing on the forum is Ap. agassizii. Others that you might want to consider are Ap. cacatuoides, Ap. borelli and Ap. trifasciata. The abovementioned 4 species are all very hardy and can be very colourful if you obtain quality specimens. Also, what you say about each apisto reacting differently is very true...except that this difference is not confined to species. even different fish within the same species can act totally different. that's one of the wonderful things about keeping apistos - your fish have character!

2. Tankmate wise, you may end up losing your shrimp. I've had very poor experiences with keeping apistos with shrimp, and every shrimp that i've ever kept in my apisto tanks have ended up torn in 2. Even large yamato shrimp the same size as my juvenile apistos were not spared. The apistos will just wait till the shrimp has moulted and has a soft shell before striking. The killies, lampeyes and galaxies should do fine though.

3. Your tank parameters look good for apistos. The ph is quite ideal and you'll be able to keep species beyond the "beginner 4" that i recommended above. Water current wise, as you know, i've recently upgraded to a Fluval FX5 in my 4x2x2 planted tank (yes, you're welcome to come take a look without the need for any food or fee ) and the flow is acceptable in my opinion, especially since the plants will break the flow and provide cover for the fish.

Hope this helps you somewhat

[yorky]

I would rate A. elizabethae as the most popular and more readily available locally as well. Good luck!

[Kross]

get a wild A. Jurua if you can find one.....

[Samuel2618]

My 4ft tank's parameter > water PH is 5.5-6, 25 degree C , filter system: 1 fluval 404 and pre filter cum C02 reactor(powerd by external pump of 1300l/hr) and water skimmer and soon getting another canister FX5 in Feb to replace both 404 (1300l/hr) and external pump of 1300l/hr

the question is too much strong h20 circulation from 2 pumps of 1300l/hr or another high powered FX5 of 3000l/hr suitable for the Apistogramma species to stay comfortable?

Hi..

Welcome to the world of apisto once again..

Your water parameter will do fine for Apisto.. If you are into spawning of apisto.. Your temp should increase to 27 degree C will be better..

All your tankmates are fine and will surely leave apisto alone.. However do try to remove your shrimps if you do not want casualties..

Speaking of what breed to keep for apisto.. Do you have any budget/price range in the first place? Think with the price range you have in your mind.. You will surely have better advises from the people as to what your "ideal" pair of apisto will be..


Regards

[trident]

eddy planer,
I would rate Ap. agassizii. Ap. cacatuoides and Ap. Inka50 most popular and hardiest. Also readily available at affordable price. As for most colourful, it's a bit subjective, as it's a personal taste.

[stormchild]

Bro. Don't go for popular apisto. Go for the one you like.

[eddy planer]

hi folks,

Thank you so much for your valuable advise, guidance and know how.

Specially thanks to illumnae for step by step, how to rear the difficult Apistos. Illumnae, i never expected your kind gestures, giving me so much information about Apistos...sorry that i got some little negative thoughts about you earlier and I appreciate your goodwill offer.

Many thanks to samuel , yorky and trident for introduce me exotic names of some brillant Apistos.

Yes guys, just went to C328, saw a pair brillant red fin Apistos for $20+. Attempt to buy just now...but my 4ft tank is full of cherries and yamatos.Not ready to allow my vulnerable shrimps to be Apistos' prey. So feel like tearing down my eldest son's 10 full lionhead goldfishes tank(2ft) or my daughter's hamsters' tank (2ft) or my youngest son's gerbils' tank (also 2 ft)to made way for a pair of brillant red fin Apistos.

hopefully a kind soul like Cacatuoides willing to offer me his tankB for cheaper price.... I will buy a pair of brillant red fin apistos straight away.

BTW, any one know the name of brillant red fin apistos which locate at guppies and betta section at C328?

Anyway , thanks bros!

[doubleace]

Bro eddy

If you mean red fin apisto i asume that it also has red tail. They are call Apistogramma cacatuoides 'orange'. I also saw that pair and there's another pair just beside the shrimp tank. But the pair at the betta rack is much nicer...

[trident]

eddy,
Take it easy, don't be so rushy and just go and buy a pair.
Setup your tank first. Get some gravel, driftwood or cave and plants.
They love to have a good hiding place. Cycle the water properly first
before popping the fish in. Man, you already had one bad experience,
we do not want another. Cheers bro!

[illumnae]

the red fin apisto you saw could be Ap. cacatuoides "orange flash", Ap. agassizii "red" or even Ap. macmasteri...i know C328 usually has stock of the first 2, and yesterday when i rushed down to buy my long awaited zebra otos i know i did see macmasteri as well.

like richard pointed out, don't be in a rush to get your pair. if you're gonna set up a new tank for them, give the tank time to cycle, even if you're reusing old filter media. don't worry about there not being apistos around. Biotope usually has good quality apistos in stock, and C328 does bring in some gems every so often. furthermore, we have others here on the forum who do have apisto spawns and would eventually be letting go of their juvs.

take it easy, get the tank up and running, think carefully about your choice then take the plunge...don't be like me...buy sell buy sell a few times before settling on 2 pairs that i won't part with

[benetay]

My sentiment too. Like what illumnae propose, it's better to plan before purchasing to prevent regret in the future.

Welcome to the apisto(dark) side.

[genes]

hi folks,

I wonder what is the most popular, hardiest and most colourful among all Apistogramma species....

after 1 week later.So i give up those Apistogramma as my exotic faunas. the reason is too pricey...

the question is too much strong h20 circulation from 2 pumps of 1300l/hr or another high powered FX5 of 3000l/hr suitable for the Apistogramma species to stay comfortable?

Most popular, hardiest, most colourful, inexpensive... I would say Apistogramma cacatuoides. This specie is colourful in nature. Some species are rather dull in colours and the colour pigments only appear when they are at their aggressive behaviour. Also Ap. cacatuoides is rather easy to breed. So you get to enjoy another interesting behaviour of these dwarf cichlids. And finally, they do not cost a bomb as you've already seen and its easier to find replacements.

As long as there are places for the fishes to hide, the flow rate will not be a problem since they are bottom dwellers.

[leeruisheng]

If you're particular of the locality, in my opinion, better to get those common ones rather than exotic ones, cause believe me you'll have a hard time searching for a replacement if anything happens(touchwood). But of course if you're loaded not much worry.

[vaynard]

any price guide for reference?

especially for people working on a tight budget?

[benetay]

vaynard, in the apisto scene, what you pay is what you get. Try off with apisto from hobbyist, just get your tank ready. Sometimes a 2-3months wait is unpreventable therefore always have a tank or 2 ready when someone releases his or her gem of beauty.

[vaynard]

i see. think every nice fish will be tagged with a price tag proportional to its beauty, no matter which type of fish. maybe starting in the near future as i have a vacant cycling tank.

[benetay]

Great, a nice place for you to view some nice apisto.
http://www.rva.jp/apisto/4.htm

[wiki]

Hi Eddy, its nice to hear you want to have a go at it. I suggest you start with the easy specimens such as Ap. cacatuoides or Ap. agassizii. They are not exactly pricey, are easily available, relatively easy to spawn, and allows you to observe and learn about Apistogramma behaviors.

However, I do suggest you read up on care and maintenance of Apistogrammas before you even start (ALWAYS find out about the specimens you intend to raise, never buy them on impulse). This will ready yourself for what is expected to come when you actually start keeping them.

**In their natural habitat, Apistogrammas resides mostly in forest streams, pools or lagos. They won't be too happy in strong or fast flowing currents. Should your tank be heavily planted, it should not pose any problems for them as they will find 'nooks and crevices' they feel at ease with. Good luck!