Breeding Apistos

[natczer]

I have had two male "blue head" apistogrammas for a little while now and have fallen in love with the group. I would be interested in breeding and wondering which species of Apistogramma would be good to start with. Any suggestions?

Natalie

 

[Neil]

natczer,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Unfortunately, you have started with a species that you will unlikely to be able to find a mate for. This is an eastern European hybrid that also goes by the name of A. sp. "Steel Blue". It's roots in the wild are debatable.

You do have many other choices that are available to you, depending on what is at you LFS or how far you are willing to take your search. Apistogramma borellii (Opal is quite similar to the fish that you currently have), cacatuoides, A. sp. "Rotpunct", etc. are easily breedable. But, you should search around and see what you like and how easily you can get it and then ask some questions here. To give you advice about what I, or anyone else, thinks that you should get, takes away alot of why you may want the fish. If you choose a difficult species to breed, that doesn't necessarily mean that you should not try it. It just means that you should be more prepared for what it may require.

Good luck,
Neil

 

[natczer]

breeding

Thanks!

I purchased a pair of cacatuoides and a pair of agassizzii. The pair of agassizzii spawned in my community tank in a matter of days...argh! I moved them to a separate tank, but no luck...think the eggs were eaten after a few days...Figured the cacas would be easier, but the agassizzii surprised me. I have them in my breeding tank now, but they aren't showing any interest in each other any more. Any suggestions? PH, temp and hardness are all good. What might incite them to breed?

Thanks,
Natalie