Apistogramma Cacatuoides Breeding @ 8.0 ph

[soh15]

I have 2 females and 1 male. All are about 1.5 inches and very healthy. I understand 8.0 is high for them, but I do not have RO water so this is the best case right now. I also do not what to use PH adjusters and mess with my water. So does anyone have any history with breeding Apistogramma cacatuoides at 8.0ph. Also at what size do they start to breed? Thanks.

 

[Griz]

Cacatuoides are one of the more pH tolerant Apistogramma. Mine breed regularly in a pH of 7.5 and I have read accounts of them breeding at 8.0. I believe that pH can affect the sex ratio of fry but I can't recall whether you would get more males or females with a high pH. I'm sure one of the more knowlegeable people here will chime in with the answer.

At 1.5 inches you should be seeing mating behaviour very soon if you haven't already. Takes some couples a while to raise a successful brood however.

 

[depthc]

With a ph that high you wont have very big batches off fry. But if you successfuly breed them in those water conditions that would be pretty amazing.

 

[Griz]

While 8.0 is high for them and certainly far from ideal, I was under the impression that it is certainly possible. You will have smaller batches and a high number of males but I do believe it can be done. Mine routinely raise small batches of fry in a pH of 7.5 and have done so at a slightly higher pH in the past.

A "breeder" wouldn't think of it, but a "hobbyist" might. Depends on what you wish to accomplish I guess.