New to Apistos - but oh, what fun!

[hobbit6003]

After browsing through a few website looking at those beautiful apistos pics, I just couldn't resist and subsequently bought a pair of A. agassizi and cacatuoides each. They were introduced into my 4 fter densely planted tank, with a variety of pencil fishes,ottos, saes and yamatos in there.

Well, I'm only a week old into this new fancy of mine, and already they posed quite a challenge for me!

First, the aga pair came down with what seems to be hexamita/capillaria type of infection: clamped fins,appetite loss, stringy white poo. They were probably pre-infected and lasted only 3 days in my tank. Thus, I had to transfer them into a hospital tank to treat them. I used the Super dewormer I and II in combo.

I'm quite lucky to have caught the disease early, and after 24 hrs of treatment, their appetite came back and the poo was back in health as well.

Sigh, just when I thought nothing could go wrong, I found that there're a few ick spots on the pectoral fins of the Caca pair. Again, had to take them out and treat. This pair too, lasted only 3 days in my planted tank. They should be ok in a wks' time.

Are they that susceptible to diseases like these, or is the new environment to blame?

Whatever it is, I think they're beautiful fishes which are very suitable for planted tanks, and hopefully when I re-introduce them back in, they'll hold their health.

Btw, thinking of getting another 2 pairs of apistos in there, do you think a heavily planted 4x2x2 ft tank would be able to hold 4 pairs? Or do you guys think I'll do better with a couple of females each (ie. agas and cacas) to create a harem?

Thanks for hearing me out, but so far, it has been as much fun as there is frustration trying to settle these cute little fellas in! What a fish, what a week!

Kenny Poh

[Simon]

wow, that's one load of problems... bad source?

a female terrority is said to be around 30cm in diameter. if you have 2 pairs already.. I would say another 2 isn't a good idea.. u might want to consider adding another female instead of a pair

[hobbit6003]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for your advice!

For the agassizi pair, the LFS fed them with live daphnias, perhaps the infection would probably have come from there. They're recovering quite well now, and is feeding on frozen blood worms.

As for cacatuoides, I don't think it is the LFS' fault, as I had inspected them for hours before transferring them into the main tank. It could be just stress that resulted in the mild ick infection. Again, quick isolation did the trick and so far I've not found any of the original inhabitants with ick. The caca pairs, too, is still feeding and should be well in 4-5 days' time.

Yeah, I think I'll take your advice and buy more females. Since cacas are easy for beginners, I'll stick to that. As for the aga pairs, I'd leave them in my hospital tank, as they seem to like it there, with some driftwoods in there.

Cheers,

Kenny