apistogramma target fish

[Julian]

hi I have some questions about target fish
1.are target fish necessary for breeding apistogramma
2.what are the best target fish that would not eat fry
3.would ember tetras work for a 15 gallon

 

[MacZ]

You mean dither fish, right?

1. no
2. Pencilfish
3. Embers move too low in the water column. They might get a lot of heat from the cichlids. It is possible that the presence of the embers keeps them from successfully spawning, too.

 

[Mike Wise]

Julian do you mean target or dither fish? Target fish and dither fish are 2 different animals. Target fish are used, depending on the species, to keep a pair bond strong (not really useful for most apistos, but helpful for acaras and especially kribs) or to keep the male occupied so as not to bother a brooding female. Dither fish are used as a 'security blanket' of sorts to calm other fish.

 

[Julian]

Ok now I’m confused I thought target fish were used so that the pair don’t beat each other up. Please explain

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Ok now I’m confused I thought target fish were used so that the pair don’t beat each other up. Please explain

Simple enough, "dither fish" are small fish that swim above the Apistogramma and <"make them feel more secure">. They aren't essential, but if you don't have them <"you need a lot of cover"> (floating plants etc) or the cichlids may remain in hiding.

The ideal dither fish is a small fish that won't eat (m)any fry. A lot of people use Hockey-stick Pencil (Nannostomus eques), because it has a small mouth, swims well up in the water column, likes soft water etc. but there are other options.

"Target fish" are what you have described. You don't usually need them with Apistogramma, but <"Black-Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)"> will perform both "Dither" and "Target" roles.

cheers Darrel

 

[Julian]

what about golden pencil fish do you know if they would eat the fry

 

[Julian]

btw thanks that helped a lot

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

what about golden pencil fish do you know if they would eat the fry

Nannostomus beckfordii are the <"most predatory of the Pencil fish">. Having said that I know people <"have been successful with them">, it probably depends a little bit on how protective the female cichlid is, and how much cover there is in the tank.

cheers Darrel

 

[Julian]

Great thanks