I've recently been looking to find Apollo Sharks to add to my 125g-300g peaceful 10-12" fish community, but there's a lot of confusion and back-and-forth facts with these gorgeous fish. This is pretty much the reason I joined this amazing fish community, because I've seen apollo owners on here and I think there's some really knowledgeable people that can help.
First: Apparently there's three fish commonly sold as Apollo sharks. One is said to be very aggressive, and will tear anything else silver in it's tank up, even it's own shoal-mates. This is the species most commonly listed as Apollo Shark, Luciosoma spilopleura.
A lot of sites will say that if kept in groups of 5 or 6, Luciosoma spilopleura will do fine. Some say otherwise. It's also said to be impossible to tell juveniles of the different species apart.
Is all this true?
Second: Where to get them? Liveaquaria has them listed, but ever since I've known the site it seems they haven't had any in stock, and when emailed, they said they couldn't guarantee the species of the shark in my order when they did come into stock.
AZGardens sells a 25-count of them, but that company is very, very bad, according to reviews and other research.
None ever show up on aquabid or similar sites, probably due to the hassle of getting them.
They're always wild-caught.
I'd rather not find an importer if there may be another way.
Third: They are a very active top-swimming fish. The fish I have as my mid and bottom swimmers can be timid or slow to eat. Will the apollos come down and eat any food before my catfish (Eclipse and 4-lined) and Knife (African Brown) can get to it? Is there a way of feeding my fish via a baster or tongs that may work better?
Any other info will be appreciated, as well! Thank you!
Note: The 125-300 is not set up currently. All the fish I have intended for that tank are about 3" and in a grow-out tank for the time being. I'd like to get smaller apollos for that reason, but since the large tank is being purchased in the next few weeks, mid-sized fish would be acceptable as long as they wouldn't bother my smaller catfish and knife.
First: Apparently there's three fish commonly sold as Apollo sharks. One is said to be very aggressive, and will tear anything else silver in it's tank up, even it's own shoal-mates. This is the species most commonly listed as Apollo Shark, Luciosoma spilopleura.
A lot of sites will say that if kept in groups of 5 or 6, Luciosoma spilopleura will do fine. Some say otherwise. It's also said to be impossible to tell juveniles of the different species apart.
Is all this true?
Second: Where to get them? Liveaquaria has them listed, but ever since I've known the site it seems they haven't had any in stock, and when emailed, they said they couldn't guarantee the species of the shark in my order when they did come into stock.
AZGardens sells a 25-count of them, but that company is very, very bad, according to reviews and other research.
None ever show up on aquabid or similar sites, probably due to the hassle of getting them.
They're always wild-caught.
I'd rather not find an importer if there may be another way.
Third: They are a very active top-swimming fish. The fish I have as my mid and bottom swimmers can be timid or slow to eat. Will the apollos come down and eat any food before my catfish (Eclipse and 4-lined) and Knife (African Brown) can get to it? Is there a way of feeding my fish via a baster or tongs that may work better?
Any other info will be appreciated, as well! Thank you!
Note: The 125-300 is not set up currently. All the fish I have intended for that tank are about 3" and in a grow-out tank for the time being. I'd like to get smaller apollos for that reason, but since the large tank is being purchased in the next few weeks, mid-sized fish would be acceptable as long as they wouldn't bother my smaller catfish and knife.
