Apistogramma Nijsseni in 10g? (pic)

Like everyone said, more plants, apistos love cover, and they will feel a lot more comfortable in there, a background on the tank would also do a lot to make it more attractive. As for being able to keep a pair in the tank, you absolutely can, thats the wonderful thing about apistos, they don't need a lot of space. Small tetras, guppies, pygmy cories, or khuli's would be great as tank mates.
 
I would put a background in, but the aquarium can be viewed from both directions. I plan on putting in some real plants in the future. The plastic ones are they to get me buy till the tank is cycled well. The tank will be empty for awhile while it cycles and the fake plants make it a lot more attractive.

I'm thinking about adding some boodfin tetra's with them. I think the red will really stand out.
 
not having the background on the tank may make the apistos kinda skittish and uncomfortable, because they won't have a place they can go and "hide". The background would give them what they think to be a solid barrier that they can use to hide, with out it, especially in a higher traffic area, they may be extremely nervous. Of course with everything, each fish has its own personality and you may get lucky.
 
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