Hello everyone! So I have 3 Apistogramma Cacatoides Doube Red in my 75G with various other fish and they continuously lay eggs but they don’t survive. I was curious if they would survive (or have a better chance) if I removed the rock they were attached to and placed it in a breeder net in the same tank? Or I could remove them from the rock and let them settle in the net?
Apisto Breeding
- Thread starter MFM
- Start date
Hi, you should first find out why the eggs don't survive.
Are they eaten by other fish? Are they eaten by one or both of the parents?
Are they destroyed by fungus?
Or do they simply not thrive due to wrong water conditions?
Are they eaten by other fish? Are they eaten by one or both of the parents?
Are they destroyed by fungus?
Or do they simply not thrive due to wrong water conditions?
I also agree with the above.
If you want the eggs to survive, there shouldn't be any other fish in the tank, especially bottom feeders like Plecos (if there are, get rid of them), since they are nocturnal they will eat eggs while the parents rest. And fish like Tetras will always eat fry.
And.....
What is the pH and hardness of your water? although adult Apistos will survive water that is somewhat hard, or high in pH, eggs and fry often won't.
If you want the eggs to survive, there shouldn't be any other fish in the tank, especially bottom feeders like Plecos (if there are, get rid of them), since they are nocturnal they will eat eggs while the parents rest. And fish like Tetras will always eat fry.
And.....
What is the pH and hardness of your water? although adult Apistos will survive water that is somewhat hard, or high in pH, eggs and fry often won't.
I had success with double red by adding leaf litter to the aquarium. The leaves are very beneficial. The water in my State is hard with ph of 7-8 to 8.0 range. Apistogramma prefer softer water. Some members have a R/O system setup this helps a great deal with tds total dissolved solids. Here is a artical from my favorite aquarium magazine http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/leaves-for-aquaria-full-article.htm Also like to add like stated above other inhabitants may be eating the eggs. Night dwelling species will most definitely devour them such as Pleco and Corydora.
I also agree with the above.
My macmasteri pair spawn all the time and the plecos and other fish in the tank enjoy the free meal. Im not looking to breed them but if I was they would get a tank to themselves with the aforementioned leaf litter. My water is also hard and while the adults dont seem to mind I'm not so sure the babies wouldn't. Now I'm thinking....i may try that and see.
My macmasteri pair spawn all the time and the plecos and other fish in the tank enjoy the free meal. Im not looking to breed them but if I was they would get a tank to themselves with the aforementioned leaf litter. My water is also hard and while the adults dont seem to mind I'm not so sure the babies wouldn't. Now I'm thinking....i may try that and see.
I also agree bout leaf litter, it provides tannins (where are anti bacterial, and somewhat anti fungal) and they help lower pH slightly.
I have used them with other soft water species (such as kills, and bettas), although my tap water was hard in the U.S..
In fall I would collect fallen leaves and soak to get tannins, many soft water species need to aid in spawning to add with water changes.
I have used them with other soft water species (such as kills, and bettas), although my tap water was hard in the U.S..
In fall I would collect fallen leaves and soak to get tannins, many soft water species need to aid in spawning to add with water changes.
Thanks for the replies everyone! The eggs definitely don't have the best chances, because they are housed with multiple Plecos and Corys. My initial intention wasn't to breed them so I didn't create the proper setup, but with them laying eggs every week or two, I figured I could see what happens. As for the water, my pH is around 7.6, but I recently added peat moss pellets to my HOB filter to soften the water slowly and I've gotten it down to 7.2 over a week or so. I had Indian Tea Leaves in the tank previously so maybe I'll add some more of those as well.