Fish Aquarium Tank

The real apistogramma’s come from southern America, they all
have the same characteristics, like a complex breeding behavior,
as their large relatives, only their size is different. Besides
the apistogramma group there are also some relatively popular
dwarf cichlids from Africa, like the Pelvicachromis group. From
this group the most widespread cichlid is the Pelvicachromis
pulcher, also known as the Kribensis or Purple cichlid.

Generally the cichlids from the apistogramma group are more
fragile and harder to maintain, and breed, for a longer period
of time. In my opinion apistogramma’s are not real beginner
species. They are more likely to get diseases if not all the
environmental variables are properly taken care of. They need
soft and acidic water with a low PH value, a PH of 5.5 to 6 is
preferable. They hardly eat dry foods, best is to feed them live
foods or frozen food, like bloodworms, brine shrimp and mosquito
larvae. Apistogramma species can be kept in a large tropical
community aquarium, but be sure the other fish are not too
small, they can defend their territory very fiercely, and can be
quite aggressive when they are breeding. In my opinion it is
best to keep the apistogramma’s on their own, in a larger
aquarium you could combine two apistogramma variants together,
maybe supplemented with a small group of other fish, like some
livebearers or betta’s. They also can be kept together with
discus or angel fish. I always have a harem of apisto’s in my
discus tanks, just to populate the lower areas of the aquarium
and I really like these small dwarfs with a big attitude.

The cichlids from the Pelvicachromis group are much more
tolerant when it comes to water values and feeding, I do
consider these cichlids a good beginner species. They are
hardened, beautiful colored and eat almost anything. The
Pelvicachromis pulcher is maybe one of the most easy to breed
cichlids as well. If you have an adult couple they will
reproduce, in a community tank, a special species tank or in a
pond, some people like to breed them in their pond during
summer. Actually some of the biggest and nicest colored
Pelvicachromis pulcher were pond bred and raised. The only thing
to keep in mind with these cichlids is that they are capable of
redesigning your aquarium, they can make huge holes and are real
little bulldozers. So if you have, or want to setup, a subtile
planted tank, don’t add a couple of Pelvicachromis to your
aquarium.

The last dwarf cichlid I want to mention is the Microgeophagus
ramirezi, or Ram cichlid. Their behavior and care are roughly
the same as the apistogramma’s but they are more tolerant when
it comes to water values, and in my experience they are easier
to keep in good condition. Unlike the apistos they have to be
kept as a couple, not a harem but that’s the only breeding
experience I have. I have tried several couples, have a couple
in a breeding tank right now, but I have never even had a clutch
of eggs. I know from other breeders that they are kind of hard
to get going, but if they do they never stop

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 at 7:50 pm and is filed under Aquarium How To. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.