Want Apistos, I Don't Want Diggers....

[sub.42]

Hi all,

It's a little while since my last post in here, but I need some advice, if you would be so kind. I'm really happy with my new planted out arrangement, but I'm finding the occupants a little boring. After having Cichlids for so long, the behaviour of my Mollies and Platies is becoming increasingly boring. I mean, they just don't act the same do they!

I want to reduce my stocking levels, introduce Apistos of some sort or another, and add some dithers into the mix. The trouble is, I'm a little bothered that they are going to dig up my tank! I don't really want that to happen, as I've spent a fortune on the substrate and heater cable!

So, the question then, what would you guys recommend? I want the smallest fishes possible, when fully grown, and I don't want diggers! Am I asking for too much? Or will I have some options? Over to you guys...Help!

Thanks,

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[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

I think you are going to have a hard time finding an Apisto that won't rearrange some of the sand in your tank (they are a member of the geophagine 'earth eater' group of cichlids).

Chances are though that though the rearrangement will be fairly small and is normally limited to the area surrounding where the female has decided she will spawn (sand walls to protect the spawning site).

Andrew

 

[guppymonkey]

If you are planning on going with dwarf cichlids I wouldn't expect too much upset. They usually aren't too bad in planted tanks. I have some Apistogramma panduro in a planted tank and they haven't done much damage. They removed some of the leaves from around their cave and thats about it.

 

[chrismr]

I won't think you have much to worry about with most apistos and moving sand. They are cave spawners and the worst they might do is make a small pit to place their young in. In my experience anyway.

Also, you could look into laetacar curviceps, laetacara dorsigera, cleithracara maronii, dicrossus filamentosus, and possibly the cranicara species. Some of them might move move leaves out of the way of their spawning site, but should not do any re-decorating that would be noticeable.

You could also look at rams.

 

[sub.42]

Went to Maidenhead Aquatics at St Albans today, to take a look at their Apisto selection. I really hope that I caught their flagship store on a bad day, 'cos what I saw did not impress me one bit!

Dead fish floating around in tanks, and most important to me, a lot of very ill-looking Apistos. Not a very good show if anybody from Maidenhead is reading this. I really do need convincing to buy anything from there. And just how expensive do you need to be? £22 a pair for one type I saw! I think it was Agazzi or something similar.

PANTS!

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[Peter Lovett]

In my opinion if you want good quality Apistos and good advice you should goto a specialist like myself or Andrew we both work very hard at selling good quality fish and we both provide good advice on there care and you will get better fish at a very good price.

Apistos do dig but only a little as all of the posts have said.

 

[sub.42]

Right!

Here's what I've decided to do.

All or hopefully most of the Livebearers have gone to a buddy up the road. He has plenty of space!

I have picked up a proper pair of Rams....ie they already like each other a lot

I am going to do a little more homework on the Apisto's, obviously the picture changes with cichlids in the tank, rather than livebearers.

I was thinking that the pair of rams that I have, plus one nice wild caught pair of Apistos (Panduro?) will be enough for my 48USG heavily planted tank, right?

Any advice Guys?

Cheers,

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[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

What's the actual dimensions/footprint of the tank. For Apsito's you should be aiming for the equivalent of 15"x15" to 18"x18" for each of the Apisto females territories.

Rams > M ramirezi or M altispinosus (Bolivian) as there's a fair size difference between these species??

Andrew

 

[sub.42]

Aha!

M ramirezi, cos they as adults they will be smaller than the Bolivians. Going by your recommendations, its good for two pairs, with a ten inch 'no-mans-land' in between, which will hopefully be occupied with my plec! When they establish territories, I hope they share the tank 50-50!

BTW, these rams seem to be choosing a part of the tank with the fastest current flow. I, m just going to cut a new foam guard for the CO2 powerhead, cos they are getting mighty close to the intake!

Cheers,

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[a.d.wood]

Hi there

Sounds like you will have more than enough room then. When it comes to decorating the tank, make sure you use the decor to break the line of sight between the 2 territories, this should reduce the aggression levels.

Andrew

 

[sub.42]

Just had Sooo much fun catching all those platies! My God, I think I was about to have a problem with overstocking )

Just couldn't see them all. I knew the juveniles had grown on loads since early december, but I have just counted twenty three(!) fish of about an inch or less......

Just pulled all the Riccia off the surface again, and my light levels are back to the norm. The Rams have called the right hand back corner home now, they are setting up a shack!

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PS, errm, just counted twelve baby mollies.....

 

[Griz]

I see you have decided on rams but I just wanted to add that my Cacatuoides have given me no problems at all with digging. They do rearrange the sand a wee bit around the entrance to their nest sites (coconut caves and large peices of driftwood) but they do not bother the plants at all.

 

[sub.42]

And do you know what?

They are making me realise why I loved my cichlids so much! These little monsters have soo much character! They are adding so much fun to my tank. I can't begin to wonder how I managed without some attitude for so long....

I'm loving this, diddy little Rams making so much disruption. Much bigger sailfin mollies wondering whats hit them....and the best bit? The pair of them actually having an interesting courtship and nest/pit establishing routine. They are great!

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