Some questions about apistos

[Jeremy S]

I am going to keep a pair of apistos in a ten-gallon tank but I was wondering what type of substrate they like, What species of apistos would do best in a ten-gallon tank and if you know of a online store that sells them. Thanks.

[Scooter]

Hey Jeremy. As for substrate, you could use about anything from regular size gravel to nothing at all. Some people keep them in bare bottom tanks (often when breeding). I use fine gravel (3-5 mm), which lets them sift on occasion. You could also use sand.

If you're new to Apistos, I think you would find the cacatuoides species relatively easy to keep and they will work well in a 10g.

As far as where to get them online, there are several places. Two that come to mind are http://www.apistogramma.com/
and http://apistogrammaidiots.com/. There are others, but I can't think of them right off hand.

[Jeremy S]

Anybody else know where I can get apistos online?

[Scooter]

Visit Zman's site for other online sellers:

http://members.aol.com/WnyZman/links.html

[Z Man]

Hey, thanks Mr Scooter! I also always suggest that people go to Aquabid and see just what is available and the prices being asked. Most LFS can get Cacatuoides if they don't have them already. Lots less expensive than having them shipped to your door.

[Scooter]

Zman, anyone new to Apistos and serious about keeping them would be remiss in not visiting your site. In fact, even seasoned Apisto keepers/breeders will benefit from your knowledge and the information at your site. Thanks for providing it.

[Jeremy S]

Z Man, do you think apistos are hard to breed?

[Z Man]

I don't myself but you probably will get a few that say they are.
If you go to my site I have an article about breeding A. cacatuoides that I think it is difficult to not have them breed. Start with species that are very easy and if you are successful you can go on to the newer one's that usually require special water conditions.

[Jeremy S]

How many juvenile Apistogramma cacatuoides would you reccamend to start with for a 10-gallon tank?

[Z Man]

I would just put in one pair. The female may have a black stripe along her lateral line but should have the leading edge of her ventral fins with solid black edges, The Male's ventrals will be more pointed without any black edges.

[Jeremy S]

Could I feed vinegar eels instead of brine shrimp to the apistogramma fry?

[Z Man]

I suppose you could use vinegar eels but I have quite a few Apisto's and everyone gets BBS every day. Even the adults so I always have some going.

[Dwarfnut]

Jeremy,
Where in Colorado are you? I live in Colorado Springs and the LFSs around here don't carry much in the way of Apistos, but I'd like more. If you find some, please let me know. Right now I need another female Agassizzi double red to try and breed.

Thanks,
Bill C.

[Jeremy S]

Hi Dwarfnut, I also live in Colorado Springs and this (http://fins.actwin.com/dir/stores.php?c=1&r=22) list of aquarium stores has some good information. Out of all the stores on the list that I have tried the best ones are:

Neptune's Tropical Fish, S.W. Corner of University & County Line, Littleton and

Denizens of the Deep, 4112 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80525.