Borelli female breathing fast ?

[Mike Wise]

Are all of these cichlids in one 54 L tank??? If so, it's a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[samwood26]

No there is one 180 ltr tank and a seperate 54 ltr for a breeding tank.......

 

[Duffmanj]

I just wanted to add that I dont mean my comments to sound nasty - theres plenty for us all to learn and my concern is for the fish.

 

[Duffmanj]

Here is another post talking about only two pairs in 100l. You're talking about 8 pairs in a 180l tank. http://www.apistogramma.com/forum/index.php?threads/17673/ apistogramma and cichlids in general simply aren't your average community fish.

 

[Mike Wise]

I have to agree with Duffmanj, 16 dwarf cichlids even in a 180L is courting disaster. My rule of thumb (conservative, I know) is that each apisto should have a territory ~30cm/1ft in diameter, separated by visual boundaries. Experienced apistophiles can modify this rule successfully at times, but it really depends on the lay-out of the tank and species in the community. Apistos are cichlids, not tetras, barbs or some other schooling fish. Their needs are quite different.

 

[rob the dwarf cichlid fan]

I brought to many apistos for my tank when I started out
and the males started to be depressed and die after 3 days of having them.
first signs were laying at the bottom of the tank then heavy breathing .same as u have.
to many in my 180 ltr jewel aquarium.

now I only have 2 males and 3 females
and all I good.