New To Cichlids

[redmonk]

Hey guys

Just thought I'd post a topic here and maybe use it to chronicle my adventure with some Apistogramma Panduro that I am getting this weekend. I have a pair coming on Saturday to a tank which is just about cycled now, I will post some photos later and some water tests so you guys can get an idea of what I've got planned.

Any advice for me at this early stage?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Love Apisto Panduro, great looking female too, which is nice. eBay by any chance?

Sounds good

 

[redmonk]

Not from eBay, they are from an LFS here.

I'm wondering mainly what they should be fed for the most part, if anyone has some recommendations on treats swell that I could pick up?

 

[redmonk]

Just added my new pair of Panduro's to their new home, water is at 0 for ammonia and nitrite so that's good.

Letting them settle for about 30 minutes and then will add a frozen bloodworm to try and get their instant respect!

 

[johnboy!]

Leave them be for a day or so, they need to adjust and settle into their new home, how old is the tank and how was it cycled?

 

[minnnt]

Yeah don't feed new fish until the following day, let them get to know their new surroundings.

 

[johnboy!]

Yeah don't feed new fish until the following day, let them get to know their new surroundings.

TBF the fish may eat, but its not the best idea, leaving them to settle and feel more secure before feeding usually reduces a lot of stress on the fish

 

[minnnt]

Yeah don't feed new fish until the following day, let them get to know their new surroundings.

TBF the fish may eat, but its not the best idea, leaving them to settle and feel more secure before feeding usually reduces a lot of stress on the fish

+1!

 

[johnboy!]

Yeah don't feed new fish until the following day, let them get to know their new surroundings.

TBF the fish may eat, but its not the best idea, leaving them to settle and feel more secure before feeding usually reduces a lot of stress on the fish

+1!

 

[redmonk]

Cheers for the replies guys I've left the fish alone for the most part and they've started to really settle, exploring in the open and generally seemed much more relaxed.

The tanks is running just over 5 weeks now, I did a fishless cycle and the nitrite finally dropped to zero last week so i added this pair on Saturday.

I might have a look at a small water change tomorrow along with a feed, does that sound like a good idea? I want to try and keep the nitrate down as much as possible.

 

[minnnt]

Don't be too concerned about Nitrates mate anything upto 40 will be fine. Nitrates are usually present in tap water so there isnt alot you can do about it. Water change and a feed sounds good.

Also if you want to test your water from the tap i think you fill a glass, test it, then let the water sit there for 24 hours and test again... have a search there is plenty of info about it.

 

[johnboy!]

Cheers for the replies guys I've left the fish alone for the most part and they've started to really settle, exploring in the open and generally seemed much more relaxed.

The tanks is running just over 5 weeks now, I did a fishless cycle and the nitrite finally dropped to zero last week so i added this pair on Saturday.

I might have a look at a small water change tomorrow along with a feed, does that sound like a good idea? I want to try and keep the nitrate down as much as possible.

Nitrate isn't too harsh on fish aslong as its below say 35PPM, Ammonia is the killer, keep that as close to 0.00 as possible, it really can kill fish quickly!
A feed OR a water change, doing a water change after they've just had food may be a bit stressful

 

[redmonk]

Cheers guys, the fish were much more settled this morning before I left for work. Will test the water later and post more.

 

[minnnt]

Looking forward to it mate, nice to see you doing things the right way.

 

[redmonk]

Checked my water and ammonia and nitrite still at zero, so
I'm delighted with that. Decided to go for a feed tonight and they are both eating although the male looks to be chasing the female away a lot and harassing her. Is that normal?

Also, the male is not as blue as the web describes and has some yellow in his head, is that normal colouring? He is certainly not as yellow and is bigger than the female.