- Messages
- 16
- Location
- London
Hi, new to the forum and looking for some help as I would like to have a community tank built around a small group of Apistos but am struggling to get to grips with what is required for their successful keeping due to inconsistent and conflicting information.
I have recently acquired a Juwel Rekord 70 (measures 60cmX30cmX40cmhigh) which has a 7cm layer of gravel and 3cm of space at the top giving an effective tank volume of 60cmX30cmX30cm. At the moment I have 6 harlequin rasboras which tend to occupy the mid-uppper region of the tank. I plan to have a reasonably heavily planted tank with arrangements of wood and some rocks to provide cover and hiding places. To this I would like to add a pair or trio of Apistos and 10-12 mid dwelling tetras (maybe rummy nose, glowlight etc.).
I have been using American Cichlids 1 (Linke/Staeck) as a reference. I have found it to be reasonably good but sometimes lacking in practical information for some species - i.e. it will sometimes go into great detail as to the morphology of a species but will then not give an indication as to suitable water conditions or tank size. Also, many of the species for which such information is given indicates that many Apistos (eg cacatuoides) actually prefer a slightly alkaline pH whilst many websites I have seen recommend soft acid conditions for all Apistos.
I am not concerned with breeding Apistos as I would not have the time or facilties to care for the fry, I would just like a small group of Apistos (maybe only males if possible) which will not be too shy and will get on with their fellow tank inhabitants. If I do not have to alter pH then I would prefer not to - my tap water is around pH7.5-8 and between 6 and 10 degrees hardness (general and carbonate), I will be adding some CO2 from a couple of small ferementer units. Might also add some blackwater extract and oak leaves but don't want to start using RO, buffers etc unless necessary.
Can anyone suggest a species and how many I could keep? Would all males be okay or would they just fight?
Thanks for reading, grateful for any help.
I have recently acquired a Juwel Rekord 70 (measures 60cmX30cmX40cmhigh) which has a 7cm layer of gravel and 3cm of space at the top giving an effective tank volume of 60cmX30cmX30cm. At the moment I have 6 harlequin rasboras which tend to occupy the mid-uppper region of the tank. I plan to have a reasonably heavily planted tank with arrangements of wood and some rocks to provide cover and hiding places. To this I would like to add a pair or trio of Apistos and 10-12 mid dwelling tetras (maybe rummy nose, glowlight etc.).
I have been using American Cichlids 1 (Linke/Staeck) as a reference. I have found it to be reasonably good but sometimes lacking in practical information for some species - i.e. it will sometimes go into great detail as to the morphology of a species but will then not give an indication as to suitable water conditions or tank size. Also, many of the species for which such information is given indicates that many Apistos (eg cacatuoides) actually prefer a slightly alkaline pH whilst many websites I have seen recommend soft acid conditions for all Apistos.
I am not concerned with breeding Apistos as I would not have the time or facilties to care for the fry, I would just like a small group of Apistos (maybe only males if possible) which will not be too shy and will get on with their fellow tank inhabitants. If I do not have to alter pH then I would prefer not to - my tap water is around pH7.5-8 and between 6 and 10 degrees hardness (general and carbonate), I will be adding some CO2 from a couple of small ferementer units. Might also add some blackwater extract and oak leaves but don't want to start using RO, buffers etc unless necessary.
Can anyone suggest a species and how many I could keep? Would all males be okay or would they just fight?
Thanks for reading, grateful for any help.