Species recommendations

[MacZ]

When I used my tap water with a GH around 225 ppm my cockatoo didn’t live more than one year.

Applies to all domestic breeds in my experience if bought from the regular trade.
Affected species: A. cacatuoides, A. macmasteri, A. agassizii, A. hongsloi, A. borellii, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi.
It's not the water itself, it's side effects of the parameters.

A cheap RO unit in the area of 50-100 € pays off quite fast. With canisters and extra hoses/pumps you can have the basic recommended equipment for about 100€ if you lean into it.
And I'm sure almost everybody here will tell you it's worth it.

 

[anewbie]

Applies to all domestic breeds in my experience if bought from the regular trade.
Affected species: A. cacatuoides, A. macmasteri, A. agassizii, A. hongsloi, A. borellii, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi.
It's not the water itself, it's side effects of the parameters.

A cheap RO unit in the area of 50-100 € pays off quite fast. With canisters and extra hoses/pumps you can have the basic recommended equipment for about 100€ if you lean into it.
And I'm sure almost everybody here will tell you it's worth it.

Well - water is expensive in some parts of the world so you have to factor in the extra waste water esp if you do regular water changes.

 

[Eddy. E.]

If water is expensive in other parts of the world (which is understandable), then an aquarium that relies on water changes should be viewed with a critical eye. I have about 50 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, and I still maintain today that a 50% weekly water change extends the life of the fish. This should be complemented by a varied diet with regular vitamin supplementation. Keeping a pet, any kind, is luxury. And imho you should be willing to pay for such luxury. The fish in my aquarium has no choice. I do, and I believe it’s my duty to make things as comfortable as possible for it.

 

[MacZ]

Well - water is expensive in some parts of the world so you have to factor in the extra waste water esp if you do regular water changes.

Yes, true. The OP implied to be from Germany, which I wouldn't consider one of these regions. Here you rather have to look at energy prices (which is why I'm pausing fishkeeping at the moment).

Keeping a pet, any kind, is luxury. And imho you should be willing to pay for such luxury. The fish in my aquarium has no choice. I do, and I believe it’s my duty to make things as comfortable as possible for it.

And this is also true and much more present in my perception. That's why I would rather forgo on keeping a certain animal than offering bad holding conditions.

 

[blucenere]

I am sorry, but it seems you are going to the wrong direction with some unnecessary assumptions on water changes.
My post was about "what Apistogramma could fit within my requirements" (which include the tap water parameters).
I do not have time and resources to make my own water (and if i had, there was little point for this post)
If the answer is no Apistogramma would fit, then i have to make peace with it.
And i am extremely thankful to @anewbie for suggesting dwarf central american cichlids which i knew nothing about

 

[Mike Wise]

By definition (Vierke or Loiselle) there are no dwarf cichlids that occur in Central America. Small cichlids, yes, bit none match the size and behavioral definitions of a dwarf cichlid.

 

[MacZ]

By definition (Vierke or Loiselle) there are no dwarf cichlids that occur in Central America. Small cichlids, yes, bit none match the size and behavioral definitions of a dwarf cichlid.

Little addition: Amatitlania males of all species reach at least 12, often more than 15cm. And this genus is the smallest in Central America. So yes, there are no dwarfs there.

 

[anewbie]

Little addition: Amatitlania males of all species reach at least 12, often more than 15cm. And this genus is the smallest in Central America. So yes, there are no dwarfs there.

Amatitlania nanolutea - i'm finding 3 to 4.5 inches for males - less for females. Won't comment on behavioral thing - or even if that is a dwarf cichild with regards to size - but it is small enough for a 40b i think and is smaller than a large a. kullanderi though we could argue about avg size vs maximum size vs typical size et all.

 

[MacZ]

Amatitlania nanolutea - i'm finding 3 to 4.5 inches for males - less for females. Won't comment on behavioral thing - or even if that is a dwarf cichild with regards to size - but it is small enough for a 40b i think and is smaller than a large a. kullanderi though we could argue about avg size vs maximum size vs typical size et all.

You always find the one exception.

 

[blucenere]

A little OT nagging: Amatitlania nanolutea has become quickly my favorite choice BUT...
It is apparently at conservation risk and there is an association that seems to be involved in breeding projects with private aquarists, the problem is, if you go to their website, the information on the fish care are "gate kept" by membership.
Which is absurd, if you care about the conservation of the fish, you should want to spread correct keeping info as much as possible!
Anyway, I found a German conservation group with information on various endangered cichlids, included the Amatitlania nanolutea...the information are again available to members only!

PS some websites indicate 300l / 80g as minimum requirement for Amatitlania nanolutea

 

[blucenere]

On a totally different note, I am evaluating now even Anomalochromis thomasi, the west african butterfly (dwarf?) cichlid.
From "care profiles" on internet (which have a relative value) they seem a good water fit. I could couple them with some Aplocheilus blockii or Aplocheilus dayi to increase "cleaning efficiency".
But i do not want to go too much out of topic here

 

[blucenere]

The Anomalochromis thomasi discussion continues here https://apistogramma.com/forum/threads/anomalochromis-thomasi-good-fit-for-me.30181/

 

[MacZ]

Anomalochromis are a softwater species, too.

These profiles usually show either a wider range to entice people to buy or because someone thought "african? Must be hard water.".

Aplocheilus are really good at hunting small fish. Probably the best choice for that matter.

About the conservation groups: Gatekeeping is a general problem in german aquarium associations. Most of them are struggling for new members because they are dying out due to old age of the existing members. If it was really a conservationist group like the licorice gourami project there would be no gatekeeping.

300 liters is pretty average for a colony of Amatitlania and makes breeding without a separate growout possible. Many german hobbyists don't distinguish between a display and a dedicated breeding setup. I personally wouldn't use the colony method, as it makes population control harder.

 

[blucenere]

They issue is unfortunately international. The C.A.R.E.S. group https://caresforfish.org/?page_id=257 points to https://cichlidae.com/species.php?id=199

 

[anewbie]

Anomalochromis are a softwater species, too.

These profiles usually show either a wider range to entice people to buy or because someone thought "african? Must be hard water.".

Aplocheilus are really good at hunting small fish. Probably the best choice for that matter.

About the conservation groups: Gatekeeping is a general problem in german aquarium associations. Most of them are struggling for new members because they are dying out due to old age of the existing members. If it was really a conservationist group like the licorice gourami project there would be no gatekeeping.

300 liters is pretty average for a colony of Amatitlania and makes breeding without a separate growout possible. Many german hobbyists don't distinguish between a display and a dedicated breeding setup. I personally wouldn't use the colony method, as it makes population control harder.

I forgot about those nasty killies just waiting for something to swim in their mouths.