My first pair of Apistogramma!

[altezza_87]

Got them at biotope yesterday. They seem to keep hiding in between the rocks and only coming out occasionally. Is it normal? What to feed them to enhance their colors?

[Jitticus]

Nice pair of trifasciata. Keep them well and they will reward you with fantastic finnage and coloration. The male's dorsal develops a red edge to it and it becomes more intense as it grows. Similarly, the iridescent layer on the body gets thicker as it matures.
They are also one of the less aggressive species I've kept. Agasizzi variants, as well as viejeta and wilhelmi can kill their mates quite often. After going through 2 generations and 4 pairs of trifasciata, I think they are one of the most beginner-friendly species.

Congrats on taking the plunge.

[altezza_87]

Thanks, eyeing on them for quite some time already. I hope the colors on their fins become more intense. Especially like the shiny blue face which the male have. Both of them are quite friendly towards each other so far and I even saw them swinging their bodies together side by side.

If I add another pair of the same kind will it reduce their spawning chance?

Currently using the rocks to lower the pH. Are there other methods other than using the ada soil?

[Jitticus]

Trifasciatas are ok even with 2 or three pairs in a 1 foot tank but once a pair spawns, the others will be stressed out. If you have lots of hiding places and you don't mind not seeing the other 2 pairs for a while (while they hide) then it should be ok.

[altezza_87]

oh ok. So far only the male comes out more often. Most of the time the female is hiding at dark corners.

[genes]

They are bottom dwellers hence are prone to hiding. But once they get familiar with the environment they will venture out more often.

[dexter]

Thanks, eyeing on them for quite some time already. I hope the colors on their fins become more intense. Especially like the shiny blue face which the male have. Both of them are quite friendly towards each other so far and I even saw them swinging their bodies together side by side.

If I add another pair of the same kind will it reduce their spawning chance?

Currently using the rocks to lower the pH. Are there other methods other than using the ada soil?

hi bro, what rocks are those? first look at it i thought it will increase the ph

[Captain Telecredible]

hi bro, what rocks are those? first look at it i thought it will increase the ph

I believe those rocks altezza using are lava rocks

Cheers,
kenneth

[mobile2007]

looks like lava rock? if so, should not affect the ph.

Is this trifasciata "guapore" ?

[altezza_87]

yup its lava rock. it came in a webbing bag meant to use for large filters but i used it as rocks for the tank itself. quite nice actually. It is to keep my tank water at acidic level, recommended by a guy at another lfs as I am not using ada soil. Till now its quite effective in keeping it down. On the packaging it also states that it keeps the water at acidic level.

I am not sure if it is trifasciata "guapore", still a newbie in this kind of fish.

[iwishweallcouldwin]

Welcome to the club They look similar to the lone piece I saw in the guapore tank yesterday afternoon.

[altezza_87]

Welcome to the club They look similar to the lone piece I saw in the guapore tank yesterday afternoon.

you mean at biotope? there is one more pair after i bought mine. should be from the same tank i guess.

[mobile2007]

I noticed the "guapore" during the last visit, that's why i asked. Curious to see what is the difference between standard trifasciata and "guapore".

Color wise, you can try using NLS (new life spectrum) 0.5mm pellet. If the condition of your tank stablized, then you see them color up soon.

[altezza_87]

oh okay. does biotope sell nls? initially i was looking at the orange flash, but only the fins are nice. body wise nothing much so i choose this pair instead, seemed to have potential too.

i put mirror outside the tank and they start to swing their body lol.

[Sky_Walker]

Question! Question! whats is your Ph before adding lava rock & ph after putting lava rock... is lava rock very effective? sorry newbie here.. nice pairing..

[exotic_idiot]

You can try add peat moss too... Very good at lowing pH.
Can get it at any LFS... Just tied a small bag can place either inside your tank or filter..

[Sky_Walker]

You can try add peat moss too... Very good at lowing pH.
Can get it at any LFS... Just tied a small bag can place either inside your tank or filter..

have a pack of that & kind of lazy to repack them in to small pack. but was thinking lava rock will have nice scaping & hideout for them. cos i keep them in a simple 3 to 4 gallon tank using gravel.

[altezza_87]

have a pack of that & kind of lazy to repack them in to small pack. but was thinking lava rock will have nice scaping & hideout for them. cos i keep them in a simple 3 to 4 gallon tank using gravel.

before adding was around 7.2(slightly orange) now is around 6.4-6.2 (yellow). Maybe i should try peat moss too as i am not ready to use the ada soil yet. Have the tendency to change the things inside the tank so don't want to mess up the soil.

now my turn, how does peat moss looks like? can show a picture?

[Sky_Walker]

peat moss kind of messy slow in lowering ph. normally pack in pillow bag when buy it. too big bag u just have to self repack them into smaller size. it will also turn your water brownish. just brought the lave rock. i took the rock cover up 2 cave. if dont work than i have to use my shrimp tank water.

[altezza_87]

oh ok, i shall see how it goes for the peat moss. which kind of lava rock you bought? those that you choose yourself at the lfs or in a pack? mine is actually meant for filter usage haha.