Which dwarf cichlid pair for a 13 gallon?

[anewbie]

Hello! Thank you, and I’m going for the nanostomus!

Perosnally I like nanostomus marilyn and espi also marginatus but there is one species that is recommended to avoid as a fry eater but i always forget which.

 

[Mike Wise]

... there is one species that is recommended to avoid as a fry eater but i always forget which.

Nanostomus beckfordi

 

[Tiff]

Indeed, nothing against it, but the tank size is limiting a lot.

Nanostomus beckford

Nanostomus beckfordi

They are my chosen ones! I’ll chose again…

 

[Bach]

I have a pair of triple red a. cacatuoides with ten n. beckfordi in a 20 gallon long. Everyone is doing well. The pair have spawned in a coconut cave recently.

 

[MacZ]

I have a pair of triple red a. cacatuoides with ten n. beckfordi in a 20 gallon long. Everyone is doing well. The pair have spawned in a coconut cave recently.

I'd be cautious to compare domestic Apistogramma with Nannacara, though.

Of course it's about the same bioload.

 

[anewbie]

I have a pair of triple red a. cacatuoides with ten n. beckfordi in a 20 gallon long. Everyone is doing well. The pair have spawned in a coconut cave recently.

In truth it just means potentially fewer frys will make it and there is more risk that they will be attacked by the female if caught stealing a fry here and there; you can also breed with cardinals and the same result. As to how many are eaten (or fewer make it) depends on many factors from tank layout to female ability to protect the region. Of course one can with correctness i think argue this increase stress the number one killer of fishes - maybe even the number one killer of humans (after humans).

 

[Bach]

I have had success breeding this pair before. I transfer the male to another tank about one week after I observe fry. I end up with about 20 juveniles to rehome.

 

[Tiff]

I have had success breeding this pair before. I transfer the male to another tank about one week after I observe fry. I end up with about 20 juveniles to rehome.

The triple red a. cacatuoides or the Nannacara?

 

[Bach]

The triple red a. cacatuoides or the Nannacara?

a. cacatuoides

 

[Mike Wise]

I have had success breeding this pair before. I transfer the male to another tank about one week after I observe fry. I end up with about 20 juveniles to rehome.

Considering mature cacatuoides can have spawns of 50+ eggs 20 fry isn't bad, not great but not bad. Then not all are lost to predation. Who needs 50+ fry anyway.