Getting apistos, what sex should I get?

[stingray4540]

I currently have a male blue ram, and a female kribensis. I was going to get two apisto cacatoides (sp?) I was just wondering, should I get 2males or 2 females?

[sumthin fishy]

The males are a lot better looking.....A lot. But I wouldworry about the 2 males and the ram fighting if they didnt have enough room. Also I dont think the krib should be in there, since the cacs are quite sensitive to waher perams and HAVE to have it soft and acidic.

[stingray4540]

So what does the krib have to do with whether or not the water is soft and acidic. Are the cackatoo's more sensitive to what parameters than the blue rams are? 'cause I've heard that they are less sensitive than the rams.

[sumthin fishy]

Kribs are african and thus need hard water with a highPH. A.cacatoides prefer soft acidic water (http://www.thekrib.com/Apisto/A-cacatuoides.html)




IME the rams survived some...er..."tank problems" while the Cacs did not :(


http://www.thekrib.com/Apisto/A-cacatuoides.html (Cool pics :) cool pics :)

[stingray4540]

http://www.thekrib.com/Apisto/A-cacatuoides.html (Cool pics :) cool pics :)
Thanks. Well, my water is pretty soft and acidic. The Krib actually was purchased for my wife's tank but she chased all my wifes fish around too much, so I put her in my tank instead of bringing her back to the lfs (bad lfs). She's been doing great even with the water parameters. The tank is well planted with driftwood and rocks, and has been established for quite awhile.
The krib and ram get along pretty well, they kind of half heartedly chase each other around every once in a while. My only concern with adding the cackatoo's is that I don't want any battles to the death for two reason's: a. the cackatoo's are kindof expensive at 10 and 13 bucks apiece and b. I went through a couple of rams before I finally got this one too live, he is from germany, hard to find around here. I think I lost the first couple of rams because it was right after I set up the tank, but the tank is pretty stable now, so hopefully the cackatoos will be ok.

[IndianaSam]

Kribs are african and thus need hard water with a highPH.

I'm pretty sure that's not true. It's not as if Kribs are from the Rift Lakes. The entire continent of Africa doesn't have hard water.

Kribs would live fine in the same conditions as A.cacatoides, but depending on the size of the tank may not get along. It hasn't been stated what size of tank it is yet.

Also Blue Rams prefer water that is warmer than what A.cacatoides likes.

Sam

[stingray4540]

It's a 30 gallon. and I keep the temp at about 75-77F.

[VTwinFanatic]

a 30 gal just isnt big enough for the rams and the apistos....my cockatoo apisto male runs my 30gal heavily planted tank. I just dont feel like a 36" tank is big enough for both of the dwarf cichlids....I would suggest atleast a 48" tank for the both of them and that is with plenty of hiding spaces. Rams are much more docile and will often be pushed around easily. I'd suggest against the addition. And the kribs do well in soft acidic water....mine wont breed as often in water much above 7.2, they are from the western part of africa in the jungles....much like the south american jungles that the apistos and rams come from....soft and acidic.

ps i would suggest that you raise the water temp to around 78F-80F also....thats a better range for your tropical fish

[Star_Rider]

I would tend to agree with the suggestions here.

too many bottom dwellers of different species for a 30.

also your ram would probably do better with the water atleast around 80..if it;s a male then watch it colorup.
why not get a female Ramirezii??

if you can find the german ones..if you like rams you may want to try and get them to spawn..
blue rams generally only live 1-3 years..if you let them spawn you can keep rams for as long as you maintain spawns.

[stingray4540]

Ok, too late, I already bought 1 male triple red and 1 male orange flash F1 before you posts. They are like half the size of my ram and krib, and the ram chaces them around as well as the krib. I've only had them a couple days but they seem to be doing well as they are out and about and eating and not as afraid of the ram anymore, even though he still chases them. We'll see what happens as they grow up, I hope it works. I have to tell you though that they are amazingling nice looking fish.

[VTwinFanatic]

Well Good Luck...but I'd just about bet that there is going to be some kind of disturbance...and oh yeah....cockatoos grow extremely fast....mine has doubled in size since may....now he's about 2.5 inches. I'd be looking for another tank just incase of a mishap

ps did you raise your water temp?