Now I've read here before that keeping Loricariidae together with Apistos isn't really helpful for the reproduction of the Apistos.
However after reading these two threads:
http://www.apistogramma.com/forum/threads/breeding-a-cacatuoides-what-size-cave.5775/
and
http://www.apistogramma.com/forum/threads/hiding-coconut-cave.18398/
I began thinking that this might be a solution for this. Now feel free to correct me if I'm wrong because I hardly have any experience with this and this is merely a thought at this time.
From what I have read the main issue with the the catfish is that they seem to prey on the eggs and force their way into the caves. But what if the entrance to the caves are too small for them?
And if that would work, then what size would be preferred by the apistos?
Having had a look at how to furnish my tank I came across these:
http://www.legholen.com/grotten/52-grot-glad-medium-bruin-030302.html
http://www.legholen.com/grotten/53-grot-glad-medium-met-rond-gat-bruin-030002.html
I sent an email to the guys who make these and the holes are approximately 2,5 cm x 3 cm for the first one and a 2,5 cm diameter for the second one. He also noted in his email that he was willing to produce them with a customized size if that was needed.
The tank that got me thinking about this is a 100x40x50 cm with currently three adult Peckoltia vittata ( L15 ) ( http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=75 ) and I would like to add 4 A. cacatuoides (1m/3f) to this tank.
I do realize that breeding the Apistos is not something I should count on with the catfish but I would like to give them a good chance. So what do you experts think? Would limiting the size of the entrance to the caves help with keeping the eggs safe? and if so what size would the opening have to be for the female apisto?
However after reading these two threads:
http://www.apistogramma.com/forum/threads/breeding-a-cacatuoides-what-size-cave.5775/
and
http://www.apistogramma.com/forum/threads/hiding-coconut-cave.18398/
I began thinking that this might be a solution for this. Now feel free to correct me if I'm wrong because I hardly have any experience with this and this is merely a thought at this time.
From what I have read the main issue with the the catfish is that they seem to prey on the eggs and force their way into the caves. But what if the entrance to the caves are too small for them?
And if that would work, then what size would be preferred by the apistos?
Having had a look at how to furnish my tank I came across these:
http://www.legholen.com/grotten/52-grot-glad-medium-bruin-030302.html
http://www.legholen.com/grotten/53-grot-glad-medium-met-rond-gat-bruin-030002.html
I sent an email to the guys who make these and the holes are approximately 2,5 cm x 3 cm for the first one and a 2,5 cm diameter for the second one. He also noted in his email that he was willing to produce them with a customized size if that was needed.
The tank that got me thinking about this is a 100x40x50 cm with currently three adult Peckoltia vittata ( L15 ) ( http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=75 ) and I would like to add 4 A. cacatuoides (1m/3f) to this tank.
I do realize that breeding the Apistos is not something I should count on with the catfish but I would like to give them a good chance. So what do you experts think? Would limiting the size of the entrance to the caves help with keeping the eggs safe? and if so what size would the opening have to be for the female apisto?