Apistogramma cacatuoides in community tank?

[Hilde]

I am in the midst of planning my community tank for the introduction of Apistogramma cacatuoides. I hope they will breed some. At present have platys, black mollies and albino cory's.

What, other fish have you had reside with Apistogramma cacatuoides without problems in a community tank?

 

[Mike Wise]

I wouldn't use Black Mollies. The need some salt in their water to feel good. I don't recommend other bottom dwelling fish with apistos if you want them to breed and raise fry. Instead try some top swimming fish like dwarf and pygmy gouramies, pencilfish, hatchet fish, guppies, etc.

 

[Hilde]

I wouldn't use Black Mollies. I don't recommend other bottom dwelling fish with apistos if you want them to breed and raise fry. Instead try some top swimming fish like dwarf and pygmy gouramies, pencilfish, hatchet fish, guppies, etc.

Well I have read that cory's are okay with the apistos. I was just going to get more cory's
Guess I will sell the Black Mollies and Cory's at the aquarium association meeting today. Thanks for the heads up.

Any opinions on the platys?

 

[dw1305]

Platies

Hi all,
Hilde, at least one senior member of this forum keeps Platies with Apistogrammas. Platies like harder, more alkaline water (with higher kH and PH) than Apistogrammas, but commercial strains of A. cacatuoides are more tolerant of harder water than all/most other species of Apistogramma.
Other than their differing water requirements, they would be quite suitable, as they are not likely to be efficient fry predators and are likely to stay in the upper part of the tank. Have a search through the archive of this forum for "Platies".

Also have you had a look at Apistobobs web pages? He is another member of this forum and they have a lot of very useful practical advice and information about habitat, water tankmates etc.

<http://www.dwarfcichlid.com/>

cheers Darrel