View Full Version : i need some suggestions for an amazonian based aquarium
Michael_G
03-27-2005, 7:42 PM
hi
im restocking my 20g aquarium with some fish from the amazon and i need some good suggestions for some small or medium cichlids that i could stick in
ill probably have some cories and snils i dont know yet i was hoping for some neat suggestions so suggest !!!
thank s in advance
keep in mind this is a 20g aquarium
:bowing: :bowing: :bowing:
Slappy*McFish
03-27-2005, 10:18 PM
Rams or apistos are the only S. American cichlids you'll be able to keep in that aquarium. I'd go with a single pair.
Michael_G
03-27-2005, 10:54 PM
yeah i thought of maybe a pair of apistogramma bitaeniata
(two banded dwarf cichlid)
would they hand out inside a coconut?
chinnp
03-28-2005, 4:05 AM
yeah i thought of maybe a pair of apistogramma bitaeniata
(two banded dwarf cichlid)
would they hand out inside a coconut?
I'd wouldn't put a coconut in the aquarium. It'll rot in there eventually and cause all kinds of problems with the water chemistry.
mooman
03-28-2005, 10:01 AM
Apistos are more expensive than the rams, but will show a much wider range of behaviors. They are great fish for a 20g long.
I have not heard of any trouble using coconut shells. I would suggest making a network of caves on one end of the aquarium and a heavily planted area at the other end. This will give your corries and dither fish (I would suggest hatchet fish) an area that is somewhat free of cichlid harrasment.
I use shale and black film canisters with holes cut in them (they disappear when you push them into a mound of gravel) to make my caves. I also make a "sandbox" by clearing away gravel and filling the depresion with well rinsed playsand. The apistos love to pick in the sand and "shop" for real estate in the different caves. It looks great.
good luck
bitaeniata are a good fish, though a typical blackwater apisto so keep pH down.
A coconut should work well
Michael_G
03-29-2005, 7:27 PM
do you have any ideas what i should expect to pay for a bitaeniata?
About 120 Norwegian kroner. In the US I have no idea
mooman
03-30-2005, 9:05 AM
At LFS most apistos that I've seen go for anywhere from 20.00 to 30.00 each. If you can find a local breeder, or an upcoming fish club auction you might be able to get them cheaper. Aquabid usually has several species of apistos for around 10.00 - 20.00 but then you have to pay shipping.
Good luck
Michael_G
03-30-2005, 8:39 PM
thnks
the amazon river is full of rotitng wood and leaves (dont put those in your tank but...) it would be smart to put a bunch of driftwood in that tank, this would make your water soft and maybe a little brown for a month, but amazon fish love this, including tetras and angels