I've kept cory cats (got picked on), otos (no problems), dwarf pleco (no problems), neon tetras (no problems), and guppies (no problems) with my cacs when i had them.
Mine only spawned twice, before an unfotunate incident occcured. I added a new "Cave" with a small antrance and a lot more room inside than the natural shale caves i used before. I think the male went in, started getting attacked by the female, couldn't get out in the confusion, and was forced to defend himself. I was gone for less than 1 hour and came home to a dead female, and a male that wouldn't leave the cave for three days and eventually died as well. I am always on the lookout for some more to replace them.
As for shipping, I think you would be ok as long as you got express or overnight and met them at the airport. Wild caught apistos are shipped all over the world and they are in much worse shape than the tank raised ones that you will be getting. As for cost, the shipping should be the same for two fish as it is for ten. See if a lfs or fellow hobbiest will split the shipping with you. Then you could dump them in a q tank, and pull them out as they pair off. That way you wouldn't need excess females.
Good Luck
Mine only spawned twice, before an unfotunate incident occcured. I added a new "Cave" with a small antrance and a lot more room inside than the natural shale caves i used before. I think the male went in, started getting attacked by the female, couldn't get out in the confusion, and was forced to defend himself. I was gone for less than 1 hour and came home to a dead female, and a male that wouldn't leave the cave for three days and eventually died as well. I am always on the lookout for some more to replace them.
As for shipping, I think you would be ok as long as you got express or overnight and met them at the airport. Wild caught apistos are shipped all over the world and they are in much worse shape than the tank raised ones that you will be getting. As for cost, the shipping should be the same for two fish as it is for ten. See if a lfs or fellow hobbiest will split the shipping with you. Then you could dump them in a q tank, and pull them out as they pair off. That way you wouldn't need excess females.
Good Luck
