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My 30g is planted with anubias, had a dark substrate, and the current stock is a school of neons and a group of kuhli loaches (a pic can be seen here. Water temp is 77° and pH is 7.4

I've never kept apistos in the past and have the opportunity to purchase a pair of A. cacatuoides. Would they be compatible in this tank? Are there any special care requirements I should know about?

Thanks

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Theresa,

The purchase of my Apsitos was an event I haven't regretted ever. I think from the general setup they would go nicely with your tank, I have mine with fish that are even smaller than Neons (Espei).

The one thing I would say though is that I would recommend to go for a species that is a little more rare than cacatuoides or agazzi (sp), no matter how manyfold "red" they are called. They for sure would be the center fish in your tank and should be special (the above mentioned Apistos can be bought anytime and anywhere). Yes, you will have to pay more money for a rarer species, but IMHO it is worthwhile.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Apisto's would make a great addition to your tank, Theresa. And I have to agree with Ingo on trying to get a bit rarer species.

You could check out Apisto Dave's offerings on AquaBid as he always seems to have a large assortment of varieties available. I know he has a website also with the current species he has available.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Thanks so much, I checked AquaBid and Dave has quite a few species available.

I've just started researching but low pH is mentioned very often. Is my 7.4 low enough?

Are there any species that are particularly more difficult to care for than others?

They are definitely going to be the center fish in this tank. I'm so impressed with the colors and patterns I've seen already, I can't believe I hadn't thought about getting them before

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I can't believe I hadn't thought about getting them before

Well, I can believe it

Whenever I saw Apistos in the LFS (and it is a good LFS) I was never impressed with them. Most of the time their color was almost all gray and in particular the females appeared really dull.

It was only after I got to know the reliable LFS employees a little better that one told me about a "rarer" Apisto that they currently had. I researched them on the web and saw that their color looks nothing like they do in the store. And what can I say, they are truely beautiful (to me, at least). In particular the female was a major surprise, I was all ready to accept a gray fish as long as the male is colorful. She turned into this gorgeous yellow fish with black markings.

I had mine for about 5 weeks in a QT with a ph of 7, so this level is definately ok for them. Below is a photo that you most likely have seen already in my "Fish Photos" thread in the Photo Booth forum. There is also a shot of them after I got them and you can see the color difference.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Apistogramma viejita II Pair

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Apistos are fish that definitely would need a lower pH than 7.4. From what I've heard, if you want to breed most species, the pH must be below 5.0.

Seeing as that is such, about 5.4 or lower is probably a suitable pH for most apistos.

Good luck!

Actually most all that are available today, will be fine in ph up to 7.5, and many will breed in that ph. Of those available, I would suggest staying away from the Panduros, and the Nijsseni. These guys are more for the expert, and do require the softer and lower ph waters.

The more easier to keep and breed are the Cacatuoides, Borellii, Agassizii, viejiita, Hongsloi, and Bitaeniata. Of these fish, any that are I or II, are color markings, the II (2) meaning more color. These fish will all spawn and have fry in 7.0ph. And about half of these I have spawned in ph of 8.0, but soft.

Always try to get a pair so that the male will be more showy.

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