Apisto Q

[Greg31]

I was thinking about possibly getting a couple of Apistos for my 20g. I heard they love lots of plants as well. Was wondering how many I could possibly keep in a 20g long. I was also wondering if keeping them with 2 dwarf gouramis would be a problem. Any other advice would be great.

These were the ones I was looking at. http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwapisto&1267896185

 

[Diogenes]

I was thinking about possibly getting a couple of Apistos for my 20g. I heard they love lots of plants as well. Was wondering how many I could possibly keep in a 20g long. I was also wondering if keeping them with 2 dwarf gouramis would be a problem. Any other advice would be great.

These were the ones I was looking at. http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwapisto&1267896185

typically one breeding pair would be the way to go. They're pretty peaceful, but being cichlids they establish territories.

dwarf gourami's should be okay.

 

[Toby_H]

More than one male in a 20 gal would be asking for problems...

Some species are said to be harem breeders. I've personally had horrible success keeping trios (1 male / 2 females).

I think it's more accurate to refer to these as colony breeders. I did have great success keeping a colony (several males / many females) in a 6' tank...

In my experience, while Apistos do show typical Cichlid aggression amongst themselves, they are not at all aggressive with tankmates. Except when protecting young becomes an issue...

 

[lateraldisposition]

i have a 20 long with 1 male 2 female cactoides and thats all the cichlids id add but they dont bother anything else in the tank the gouramis would be fine u could also add a shoal of cories i keep ten pygmy spotted cories and 6 celestial pearl danios with mine not even a smidgin of a problem

 

[Greg31]

I think in a couple months I may get a pair of Apistos and add the 2 dwarf Gouramis and that would be it. I really have no intentions of trying to breed them, I just love the way they look.

 

[japes]

I'm not really an Apistogramma expert, but I do keep one species and have friends with racks full of them.

Certain species work in trios, usually the smaller species. Agassizii complex specimens for example don't tend to do exceptionally well in trios as a dominant female will develop.

Apistogramma don't necessarily like plants either, most Peruvian species are caught in 'ditches' full of wood and leaves. Plants offer the cover they do enjoy, though.

For that size tank, I'd recommend a pair or trio depending on species. Most importantly, a single male.