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Hi there, for a divided tank that contains only a pair of SA apistos per section, what is the minimum tank height required?

How low can I go and what is the minimum floor plate size per pair? As I think that floor space is more important to apistos than thank height, I'm trying to sacrifice height, to justify to my hubby getting a longer/wider tank. You see, I wouldn't be allowed an additional tank, or even a replacement tank, if it is obviously bigger than the current 2ft 20G tank I have. So, I've been thinking of getting a longer, wider but much shorter tank - then I can say it is the same size (or not much bigger)in capacity. Just a different shape.

What I'd like to set up is one tank that can be divided with temporary dividers to form 3 separate areas with a pair each in 2 of the sections and a spare area I could use to grow out one batch of fry, in case their parents decided to breed again. All would be planted - mainly wisteria & nana anubia on driftwood.

I've been talking to LFS who would make the tank & they will make dividers that allow water flow throughout, but won't let the little fry swim through. I have heard that some keep pairs of apistos in 10G, and also that floor space is more important to apistos than height.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
TW

How would this size be:-

36" long
18" wide
12" high

This would give me 33.7G and is a size I'd prefer, but the below measurements give me close to the water volume I have now:-

36" long
14" wide
12" high
This gives me around 26.2G. My current tank is 23.5G.

If either are too small for a 3 way division, I would alter my plans to only include 2 divisions.

But I want my fish happy - and if 12" is just not deep enough, I'll have to rethink my plans.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
TW

hi robyn,

in my experience the apistos are in the most ground huggers. they don't need a lot of depth to their tanks, as long as they feel secure. i would recommend that if you do give them a shallower tank, that you have some surface plants (banana lillies, lotus or duckweed etc) so they feel safe.

so if you put it into three sections, each would be 12 x 12 x 18, yes? i think that would be fine for a pair of apistos - i've certainly bred cacs, nijsseni and agassizi in smaller. what species are you thinking of? and how will the dividers let water through but not the wrigglers? they're pretty small, as you know!

best of luck - it sounds great - maybe i should divide my 6 footer!

regards,

justin

Hi justin

Thanks for the advice. Maybe some duckweek, like Ingo has would work too. I'll also make sure the lights aren't too bright for them & will only have low light plants.

If I go ahead, I'll get St George to make the tank & I've discussed it with the owner already. (Was it you that came all the way to St George Aquarium via public transport one Sunday, only to find it shut?) The tank would have permanent groves for the dividers to slide into place. The dividers are a type of grid & the little grid squares are too big for my liking (would let fry through) but he will line them with a finer netting barrier, which should do the trick. I might give myself lots of options here, with several slots for the dividers, so I could have it either a 2 way tank, or a 3 way tank, if I needed to separate anyone from their fry.
I haven't got it clear in my mind yet how the heater would work, but assume if I place it vertically near holder for the middle divider, that should work???

Nothing too fancy for the fish & it is just for reshuffling fish I already have. I currently have a 2ft tank with a male apisto agassizii & his 2 wives. In the community tank I have a nice pair of apisoto cacatuoides. It's just too busy for the cacs to breed in the community tank - so they will be the other residents in the proposed divided tank. Here is a shot of the agassizii in their current home. They're easier to photograph these days. As they are always begging for food, if they see me come near out they come. They must recognise me though, as if I have friends over & they look in the tank, they hide & won't come out at all.

Excuse the glare/refelction on the back of the tank glass. Sadly, my anubia covered wood won't be able to fit into the divided tank.

I don't want to put them all togehter (as in with no divider) in case they mate with the wrong female.

maybe i should divide my 6 footer!

Not if the 6 footer is your main display tank. That would be my ultimiate dream for such a nice big tank.

Cheers
TW