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Help with selection

Me&Fishy

New Member
Messages
27
Hi,

We are new to this hobby and recently my wife and myself went to a LFS and was mesmerize by all these fanciful apistogrammas.

After a round of shortlisting, we have decided on getting either one of the below :

A pair of A.Ortegai Morado Blue
A tio of Borelli Opal (1 Male 2 Females)

As we are new to the world of apistogramma. Can we ask which of the above would be more suitable for us to kickstart this hobby. Wife prefer morado blue and myself borelli opal.

Current setup : 17 gallon tank with soil substrate and some plants with a few hiding place.

Would appreciate all kind advise.

Thank you.
 

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MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,959
Location
Germany
17 gallon tank with soil substrate and some plants with a few hiding place.
Presumed tank dimension rule out the A. ortegai. The tank is also much too open and offers too little structure / breaks of sight lines for Apistogramma in general. The substrate is also less than ideal (fine sand would be optimal).

So a pair of A. borellii (includes "Opal") would be the only option I can recommend with a clean conscience, regardless of any other options. They are the only species that's suitable for that tank size. A single male might be an alternative if you don't care for breeding.
 

Me&Fishy

New Member
Messages
27
Presumed tank dimension rule out the A. ortegai. The tank is also much too open and offers too little structure / breaks of sight lines for Apistogramma in general. The substrate is also less than ideal (fine sand would be optimal).

So a pair of A. borellii (includes "Opal") would be the only option I can recommend with a clean conscience, regardless of any other options. They are the only species that's suitable for that tank size. A single male might be an alternative if you don't care for breeding.
Thank you for the kind advise.
 

Me&Fishy

New Member
Messages
27
Hello,
Protecting eggs maybe ? Is she yellow like a lemon ?
She is yellowish and very protective of her pot. Driving everything away within 7cm radius. Just had her for like a week only.

arrow showing her location.

20230531_221155.jpg
 
Last edited:

MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,959
Location
Germany
Is this consider lemon yellow?
Not really, or does your camera filter out yellows? Alternatively the tank lights might have a too strong red tint.

She is yellowish and very protective of her pot. Driving everything away within 7cm radius. Just had her for like a week only.
Very likely either having eggs or preparing to spawn. Often Apistos spawn right after purchase, and then take a break for a while.
 

Me&Fishy

New Member
Messages
27
Not really, or does your camera filter out yellows? Alternatively the tank lights might have a too strong red tint.


Very likely either having eggs or preparing to spawn. Often Apistos spawn right after purchase, and then take a break for a while.
Could be my camera and lighting issue. Manage to take another after luring her with some food.

20230531_223932.jpg
 

MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,959
Location
Germany
Yeah, she's gravid with eggs. Full wasp-mode/terror-lemon is to be expected in a few days.
 

MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,959
Location
Germany
I'll buy some sponge tomorrow to reduce the filter suction.
Not necessary, she'll keep them away from the filter.

Are you prepared for a growout tank/tote? You can't leave them in that small tank. (provided they make it further than some days.)
 

Me&Fishy

New Member
Messages
27
Not necessary, she'll keep them away from the filter.

Are you prepared for a growout tank/tote? You can't leave them in that small tank. (provided they make it further than some days.)
I have a spare 17 gallon in my store room.

I'll probably start cycling it with aged tank water tomorrow morning. If 17 gallon is too small, buying a 3ft tank could be an option too.
 

anewbie

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,366
Definitely 'yellow' for borelli and has or will spawn. Likely she has spawn since she is not eating - she may not eat for up to 10 days - though sometime they will sneak out and grab something if it is near the entrance of her cave.
 

MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,959
Location
Germany
aged tank water
Not going to cut it. Either move filter media from the established tank or at least take the sponges from the established filter and press them out into the new tank.

The other tank might be too small. Be ready to do waterchanges every two days by the end. Also check bak with your local store if they take them. If not you will have to either find homes for each one individually or prevent further breeding.

But first wait out if there are going to be any fry in the first place.
 

Me&Fishy

New Member
Messages
27
Not going to cut it. Either move filter media from the established tank or at least take the sponges from the established filter and press them out into the new tank.

The other tank might be too small. Be ready to do waterchanges every two days by the end. Also check bak with your local store if they take them. If not you will have to either find homes for each one individually or prevent further breeding.

But first wait out if there are going to be any fry in the first place.
Have some questions,

1. Should I stop water change for the next few days?

2. Ordered some plants on tuesday and will arrive tomorrow. Should I continue to plant them? The plants are attached below. My intention is to provide more cover and reduce straight line of sight.

Thank you!
 

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MacZ

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,959
Location
Germany
Will it disturb the female or shock her?
You're overcautious.

Disturb... well, probably, as long as you don't move the cave nothing should happen.

Shock... I won't list possibilities how to shock fish but be assured: A waterchange done right or some plants won't shock a fish.

You are positive you want to go through with breeding? You are aware that this is a commitment?
 

Me&Fishy

New Member
Messages
27
You're overcautious.

Disturb... well, probably, as long as you don't move the cave nothing should happen.

Shock... I won't list possibilities how to shock fish but be assured: A waterchange done right or some plants won't shock a fish.

You are positive you want to go through with breeding? You are aware that this is a commitment?
Probably I think too much.

Too late to back off now. Will be a long term hobby I guess.
 

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