I've been doing a lot of research about these interesting fish and I have decided to get some for a recently acquired 33 gallon tank. (36x12x18) There is a good shop near me that has a tank full of juvenile A. cacatuoides, about one inch long. I understand that these are a good variety to start with. I would like to get a few fish (perhaps 5?) and raise them together. I want to watch them mature, stake out territories, pair up and perhaps eventually breed. I have a spare 15 gallon tank that can be used to remove some fish if that becomes neccessary. Breeding is not my primary aim but it may become one when the fish mature. At the moment the tank has been up for a couple weeks and is well planted with live plants and there is rock and driftwood. Lots of nooks and crannies have been created. This past weekend I put in 8 neons and 4 corydoras. I am assuming that the corys may have to be removed, at least temporarily, if breeding takes place and I want to keep the fry. I also plan to get another variety of tetra a few ottos to round out the tank. pH is currently 7.5 but I will try to lower that a bit before getting the Apistos in a couple of weeks. GH is 7 and KH is 5.
Is this a sound strategy, getting several fish as juveniles? Is 5 a good number?
How many (mature m/f) would be a good number for a tank that size?
Can a one inch juvenile be sexed accurately or will I basically be waitng to see what I ended up with? Some of the fish I was looking at seem to be more brightly coloured with more distinct black markings and are begining to show red on the caudal fin. Are these perhaps males or just variations in the individual fish?
How long would it take for a one inch A. cacatuoides to mature? I understand that they can live for 2-3 years. Correct?
My tap water has a pH of 7.5, is that sufficient for my purposes or should I begin on getting it lower? Breeding at some point down the road would require a lower pH, but would the fish be happy with that as they grow?
Any suggestions for other fish that would do well in a community like this would be appreciated as well.
Cheers
Is this a sound strategy, getting several fish as juveniles? Is 5 a good number?
How many (mature m/f) would be a good number for a tank that size?
Can a one inch juvenile be sexed accurately or will I basically be waitng to see what I ended up with? Some of the fish I was looking at seem to be more brightly coloured with more distinct black markings and are begining to show red on the caudal fin. Are these perhaps males or just variations in the individual fish?
How long would it take for a one inch A. cacatuoides to mature? I understand that they can live for 2-3 years. Correct?
My tap water has a pH of 7.5, is that sufficient for my purposes or should I begin on getting it lower? Breeding at some point down the road would require a lower pH, but would the fish be happy with that as they grow?
Any suggestions for other fish that would do well in a community like this would be appreciated as well.
Cheers