Apistogramma setup planning

[samcarter]

I first of all want to say how impressive I think this forum is, especially when it comes to dwarf cichlids from the genus apistogramma. I am currently planning an aquarium to house some of these fascinating dwarf cichlids and I have some questions. The aquarium I am using measures 50cmx30cmx30cm with a volume of approximately 45 litres. My first question is what species is recommended for a tank this size and how many individuals would be able to thrive? Secondly, Depending on the species selected I intend to use one of the ADA aquasoils. My tap water has a ph of 7 and is moderately hard, I also have a reverse osmosis filter. Would I be better off storing some tap water in a container with some aquasoil to adjust the parameters, or would It be better for the fish to mix some tap water and reverse osmosis water to get the right parameters? Any advice offered would be greatly appreciated.

[genes]

Hi samcarter

Welcome to AQ and i do hope you will have an enjoyable stay at our forum.

For the size of your tank, you are pretty much open to all species of Apistogrammas. As for the number of individuals, i would suggest a pair with some dither fishes. With a pair, there are lower chances or mortality due to territorial disputes and you can also experience the joy of breeding them. And with dithers, it not only add distractions to the male and female if they should turn aggressive towards each other but also add some excitement to the tank because Apistos are shy fishes and tends to hide.

Choosing ADA aquasoil is a good choice. I would recommend ADA africana for its ability to pull down pH to around 5.5. But this is for Singapore water. I'm not sure for Australian water. But as you mentioned, your pH for tap water is around 7. So should be almost the same.

They should be alright with tap water introduced directly into the tank. I do my weekly 30% water changes for all my Apistos with water directly from the tap. I am more worried of the chlorine content of Australia's tap water. My previous experience with tap water in Sydney is that the fishes died couple of minutes later after direct water change from the tap. If this is the same case for you, i suggest storing the tap water over night before using. I would suggest you store the water overnight too if you are going to use your tap water for more then 50% water changes.

Do let the tank settle for at least a week due to pH fluctuations from the new soil and as well as cycling of your filters before adding the fishes in.

[samcarter]

Thankyou very much! I would worry that a water change with a ph of 7 into a tank with a ph of 5.5 (due to aquasoil) would cause stress for the fish, is this the case? I don't think chlorine will be an issue because I use dechlorinator. Out of interest don't they add chlorine to singapores tap water? Will aquasoil cycle me aquarium by itself? Will I need to add a source of ammonia?

[genes]

It will not stress the fishes too much for a 30% water change. pH will rise initially upon introduction but will fall back to 5.5 in an hour or 2. Singapore water do have chlorine, thats why anti-chlorine solution is needed. But its content is higher in Sydney. You can smell the strong chlorine out of the tap water. If you trust your anti-chlorine solution, you can use it for your immediate water change. Aquasoil will not cycle your tank for you. Beneficial bacteria needs to be cultivated over time. If you have mulm from another tank. Add it to your new filter for faster cycling. Or you can add afew cheap fishes to aid the cycling.

[samcarter]

Thanks genes. I just want to say that I am a bit of a fan. I came across an article a while ago on the practical fishkeeping website concerning a person from singapore with an amazing planted tank and an impressive collection of apistogramma. Searcing through the forum just now I realise that person is you! A few more questions regarding the aquasoil. I noticed that you use africana for some species but amazonia for others. Is this due to different species preffering different ph. If so could you please give some examples as to which apistogramma species for which aquasoil? I've also noticed that people do a series of large water changes after first introducing aquasoil to remove excess nutrients and clouding. What is your routine for initial setup with aquasoil? Thanks again for your advice and inspiration.

[genes]

My planted tank is amazing? Gee...thanks! It was full of green spot algae on the nanas when the shot was taken.

In their natural habitat, most species are found in waters with pH ranging from 5 to 6. Some even lower then 5. From my experience, it seems that certain species are more successful in raising a spawn in lower pH water. Hence my recommendation to you on Africana. I was able to spawn my A. bitaeniata in both Amazonia and Africana but have never been able to spawn my A. elizabethae in Amazonia. But was successful in Africana. For your information, Amazonia can achieve pH of around 6.5.

As for cloudiness using ADAsoil. As long as you draw in water slowly without stirring too much of the soil. Your water can be crystal clear within a day. Amazonia seems to cloud the water more compared to Africana. I do not water change due to the nutrients. They are good for my plants and i do not have fishes in the tank on week 1 of cycling.

My routine previously with using these soils are
1) soil, filter, plants, caves in tank
2) top up water slowly so that the soil is not agitated
3) cycle the tank for 2 weeks adding biological supplements (bb) to the water
after every water change.
4) After 1st week of cycling, i added mollies to test the water
5) After 2nd week and a 30% water change, the apistos go in.

However, there are some members here that add in their apistos after 1 week or less without any issues. For me, i just prefer to over-do certain things to be on the safe side.

[samcarter]

You mentioned dither fish earlier. Would rummy nose tetras be a suitable choice? If so how many? Would they pose a threat to the eggs or fry if the apistogramma spawned?

[genes]

Rummy nose are fast eaters so i would not recommend them. If you can get your hands on Nannostomus species, i feel they are the best dither fishes around. Slow eaters and hence will not starve the bottom dwelling apistos. And not too fast a swimmer so easier to net out when your apistos are breeding.

For a tank of your size, 6 would be a nice number to have.

My opinion is that all, if not, most dither fishes will eat any fries that they chance upon. Although some beg to differ. So its better to remove dithers once your apisto fries are free swimming.

[Csababá]

Is such a tank too small for a trio?

[samcarter]

I ordered a bag of ADA aquasoil Africana yesterday so once that arrives I will have all equipment ready to go. I also contacted the store where I believe I will buy my apistogramma. They have a reasonably diverse selection however they do not sell mated pairs, but they do have both sexes. Is my best chance of getting a pair to select (to the best of my ability) 1 male and 1 female? Also, I know Aquasoils ability to lower ph is quite good but what about hardness? My tap water is not as soft as I would like it to be for these fish. Thanks for all your help.

Is such a tank too small for a trio?

This being my first tank with apistogramma (or cichlids in general) I would like to keep the bioload to a minimum. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[illumnae]

What species of apistogramma are you intending to keep? Some species form bonded pairs, in which case simply picking a male and a female may not result in breeding. Others are harem breeders, so your chances of obtaining a brood from a random male and female are relatively higher.

With regard to ditherfish, I'm one of those who beg to differ with regard to keeping some dithers with breeding apistogramma pairs. I do believe that some dithers are fry-safe. This also depends on the parental instinct of the parents. For example, some of the pairs I bred were able to keep their fry safe from tetras, which are notorious fry-eaters; other pairs were unable to. However, for the sake of the dithers (and not just the fry), you may want to remove the dithers as recommended by genes. Apistogramma are cichlids and they do protect their fry to varying degrees depending on parental instinct. While the parents may keep the fry safe from dithers, there's nothing to keep the dithers particularly safe from the parents killing the dithers while protecting their fry. Hence, even the safest dither fish may end up dead by the protective parents.

[samcarter]

I guess I really havn't decided. Which species is recommended for a beginner? I'm not really a beginner to fishkeeping though as I have had tropical tanks in the past and have played around with some reefkeeping. However I am a beginner to dwarf cichlids. Which species am I most likely to end up with a pair simply by choosing a random male and female? I have decided not to keep dither fish as it seems like more potential trouble than benefit.

[illumnae]

The benefit of dither fish is that it helps the pair to bond faster, and it also helps the apistogramma to feel more comfortable. The fact that there are small schooling fish playing out in the open seems to indicate to the apistogramma that the environment is relatively safe to venture out.

As for species type, how about Apistogramma bitaeniata? It's a beautiful species and relatively hardy. Given that you're experienced in fishkeeping, you shouldn't have a problem with these. They are harem spawners too, so the chances of a random male and female forming a pair is higher.

[samcarter]

Ok maybe I will try dither fish. I guess they can be removed if there is any sign of trouble. Genes suggested Nannostomus any other suggestions? Now that you mention Apistogramma bitaenata I read an article from the practical fishkeeping website. They do seem like a good choice, although the article states that they should be kept in groups as they can become aggressive if kept in pairs. Any keeper of this species willing to offer their experiences?

[illumnae]

genes is very seasoned with Apistogramma bitaeniata. i've kept a couple of pairs, and I find they're ok even as a pair.

for ditherfish, if you're not too particular about keeping fish from the same locality together, you could consider boraras sp. Alternatively, if you have a tank cover, hatchetfish are good too

[genes]

I think ADA soil itself will produce soft water. If the soil and RO water cannot help with your hard tap water, you can try using peat or use commercial water softerners.

I keep biateniatas in pair without dither fishes in a 45cmx20cmx30cm tank without problems and managed to breed them readily.

[samcarter]

I actually got around to testing my water properly and it has a dkh of 6 which is about half way it would seem so not to bad after all. I think I will try with just aquasoil first and if that doesn't work then I will add some RO. I was wondering if you could provide information about sexing bitiaeniatas? Also wondering what foods you guys use for day to day and conditioning these fish for breeding? Thanks for all your help.

[illumnae]

apistogramma aren't too fussy about food. my personal favourite is New Life Spectrum food, I think genes uses Tetra and ADA foods. I've used Tetra (both bits and crisps), cyclopeeze, and decapsulated brine shrimp eggs and none of them were rejected.

[genes]

I pump up my apistos with live brine shirmps of live baby brine shrimps to condition them. Staple food just ADA AP2 now.

[samcarter]

My bag of ADA Aquasoil africana arrived today and I have a few more questions about it. Is it ok for me to add dechlorinator after I've added the aquasoil and tap water to the tank? Is there anything alive in the aquasoil or will I damage it some how by exposing it to chlorine? I think I've ordered more aquasoil than I need for this tank, is there a particular way I have to store it? Can I just wrap up the open end and put a peg on it?