This is not supposed to be normal, with Apistogramas

[Magnum Man]

Do we think this is specific to this particular species??? These were sold by Dan’s as a trio, and I was told by nearly everyone, there would definitely be a death… they have been here for around 6 months like this, one male, and two females…

They were listed as Apistogramma nijsseni 'Rio Ucayali',
Hobbyist Bred and Raised in Europe…
There are no eggs, on that piece of clay pot, but this is not a breeding tank, intentionally crowded, so no one can stake out a territory…

 

[gwand]

I suspect the trio rule that only one female will survive is a generalization that is often but not always correct. Fish are individuals. I also suspect this is true for many other rules.

 

[GaryE]

Mine always went full tilt into breeding withn a month or two of arrival, and prior to that, were very relaxed. They had nothing to defend without breeding.

Maybe it's your larger tank that is behind it.

 

[Magnum Man]

I tried a couple different species in a different tank, that was a 55 gallon, and that did not work out at all… I think I only have one left in that tank… this tank is a 45 gallon tall, with a foot less floor space, than the 55 had???

I call this my “impossible “ tank”, as it has 4 different species of Cichlids, totaling 9 Cichlids, plus much other aquatic life, including 9 Cory’s, and it’s generally peaceful…

 

[GaryE]

When I first got njisseni, they were an ultimate challenge. Word was they couldn't be kept alive in aquariums, as they were a 'new' fish. I tried them, and they were fine. I then set my goals on breeding them, and succeeded after a few tries in different set ups.

They stayed alive because I couldn't emulate their natural conditions, which would be very hard to maintain. The other breeders who had them early in the game were way better at it, and better equipped than me. They probably overdid the preparation. The tanks were too good, and tanks don't work like rainforest streams.

You have 6 other Cichlids with them, which you are not "supposed to" do. You don't focus on breeding.

If you did, you would set the tank up to facilitate territory formation, digging and pairing up. Then, you might get what I saw - females wanting large breeding territories and killing for them. But if no spawning possibilities are provided, and no spawning triggers are sought after, maybe the territorial switches never come on and the fish age gracefully.

Hmmm.

Or, as we often learn with Cichlids, it's early days and the fan will be hit in time.

 

[Magnum Man]

… that is not “their” spot, just where they were this morning… the 2 females were just out swimming in the open middle, a little bit ago… even though the Electric Blue Acaras, are like 10 times bigger than the female Apisto’s… but then Electric Blues are weird fish anyway… I suspect the male is trying to find a spot, as it is typically in a thick spot somewhere in the tank… and maybe the females just don’t see him as a fit mate, as he can’t hold a territory… the gang of Cory’s respect no territorial boundaries, in that tank…