Rules for multiple appistos in the same tank

[jrsq]

What are the guidelines I should go by in stocking my first appisto tank?

is there a risk of interbreeding and will I be able to tell the females apart once they're all in the tank together

Thanks

 

[Neil]

jrsq,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

is there a risk of interbreeding and will I be able to tell the females apart once they're all in the tank together

Well this is one of the first rules for stocking a tank. Apistogramma are divided into groups. Usually specimens from different groups are more suited to life in the aquarium together, as long as the aggression levels and water requirements are similar. This is because they do not present as much of a danger to breed with females of the other females. Good for us, good for the fish. Females of many apisto species are quite similar. Placing females of similarly grouped fish in the tank together, not only increases the possibility of cross-breeding, but also of you not being able to figure out which is which.

Figure out which species you like, what water you intend to use, and what the size tank is, then ask specifically whether they would be a match together. We can probably steer you in reasonable directions from there!

Neil