Natural tank mates

[Avid Outdoorsman]

I currently have a pair of wc Apistogramma Bitaeniata sp. Shishita coupled with Nannostomus Eques in a 120 gallon tank. They pay absolutely no attention to them. Tomorrow I have 2 pair of wc Apistogramma Panduro and a dozen wc Nannostomus Mortenthaleri arriving. I have a 40 gallon and a 45 gallon tank ready for the new Apistos. Is there a combination of Apistos and Nannostomus that would be collected from the same waters. I am trying to create a habitat as close to there natural habitat as possible.

 

[Mike Wise]

Well, I don't recall collecting N. eques with A. bitaeniata when TomC & I collected in the Rio Shishita. Strangely we actually collected the Curutu form of bitaeniata there, too. I've never collected A. panduro, but N. mortenthaleri is not found in the same rivers as A. panduro. This pencilfish is actually collected on the opposite side of the Amazon. When in doubt, some form of the Dwarf Pencilfish, N. marginatus, is almost ubiquitous. I recommend that you read some of Tom's articles (http://apisto.sites.no/) that are filled with valuable information.

 

[Avid Outdoorsman]

Thank you Mike. I have read some of them and they are very informative. The entire site is a wealth of knowledge. Is there any other reference material that would be helpful in learning about Apistogramma?

 

[Mike Wise]

There are several excellent books on dwarfs. Books have been discussed many time. Do a search here.