Lower pH, better color?

**mobile2007** · 21st Mar 2009, 16:38

Hi All,

Occasionally i read in some posts stated that,

Under lower pH, the color of the apisto will be much better/enhanced, is that true? Any article or information to support that claim?

Does this applicable to certain species only or to all apisto?

Thanks if anyone could advice on this.

**joopsg** · 21st Mar 2009, 17:01

Hi Mobile2007,
please allow me to share some experience with you.
ph got to do a lot to apistogramma.
Like the Trifisciata and Bitaeniata, lower ph allow the male to grow a long dorsal extension.
this is what we like to see too, right?
as for gibbiceps and diplotenia, a lower ph is require in order to spawn them.
that is also want we want , right?
some apistogramma do better with different substrate.
like the Apistograama Barlowi, Apistogramma Elizabethae, they are known to be better inf them are kept an fine sand substrate.
It is up to individual to judge the clours of their apistogramma.
for me, i like to keep them in ADA substrate, with lots of driftwood and java mosses tied on. the key to coloration for me is live feed. Of course i also supplement my apistogramma with ADA Vitamix and Dennerle S7.
Hope that helps.

**illumnae** · 21st Mar 2009, 17:59

I don't think it's any scientific research per se that leads to the conclusion that lower ph = better colours. Rather, fish will display their best colours when they're healthy and happy. Apistogramma come from waters where ph is low. Hence, they are more comfortable and hence happier in lower ph waters since that's what they are used to. With these conditions, their colours will naturally be more vibrant

**Morgan01** · 21st Mar 2009, 18:32

Dennerle S7 is a lot of $$$

**mobile2007** · 21st Mar 2009, 19:06

Thanks for sharing your experiences, joopsg. You are such a hardcore apisto lover, feeding them ADA vitamix and Dennerle S7

I think illumnae was right, no scientific experiment conducted on this area. Probably we have to rely more on the experiences of fellow apisto lovers.

Hope more will share what they learned during the process.

Originally Posted by joopsg

Hi Mobile2007,
please allow me to share some experience with you.
ph got to do a lot to apistogramma.
Like the Trifisciata and Bitaeniata, lower ph allow the male to grow a long dorsal extension.
....................

**joopsg** · 21st Mar 2009, 20:25

Pamper them. They did not choose to be my pet. I chose them to be mine. Haha..
The dosage that time still ok lah, despite being a NSF still can provide.
Hope to be back soon....
Hope some of my ex kaki be back too....

**genes** · 22nd Mar 2009, 16:33

Originally Posted by Morgan01

Dennerle S7 is a lot of $$$

Losing your favorite apistos is even more expensive. I soak the food in S7 before feeding them to the apistos.

**Jervis** · 22nd Mar 2009, 16:44

Originally Posted by joopsg

Pamper them. They did not choose to be my pet. I chose them to be mine. Haha..

That's something to ponder upon... very well said

**joopsg** · 23rd Mar 2009, 21:10

Originally Posted by Jervis

That's something to ponder upon... very well said

Thanks for supporting me.
I just cannot understand why some people can just say that they have no time for the pet. Then in the first place, why get it.

Especially for Dogs, Rabbits.