Easiest Apistos

[shockshockshad]

For my 75 gallon, this is my stocking so far:
-4-8 otos
-6 discus
-12 rummynose tetras
-1 of some sort of pleco (a bigger one, but not as big as a common. Something that gets 10 inches or so)
-Some sort of apisto, maybe 4.

What is a good apisto that is easy, peaceful, and just a good first-cichlid fish?

[sailor]

Here is a link to a great site on apisto's and other dwarf cichlids

Apistogramma cacatuoides Easy to acquire, easy to
breed and you can set up a few harems w/ a couple males in a 75

http://www.thekrib.com/Apisto/#pix

Here is another good site I look at and go to occassionally
http://www.dwarfcichlid.com/index.php

[kitten3326]

I recently just moved my discus into a 75 gallon, along with 20 harlequin rasboras, 7 panda cories, a bristlenose pleco and a pair of German blue rams, it makes for a beautiful tank. I was also thinking of a couple of female kribs. Haven`t quite decided though, just an idea though:)

[Fishalicious]

From the Apistogramma's cacatouides and borelli are the easiest and great beginner Apisto's - a harem is nice 1 male/2 females in a 75G

[Incredulous_Ed]

Ive heard Macmasteri is pretty easy to keep as well.

[Tolley]

Ed told me yesterday how well his borelli was doing and tht he's hardy.
Also double the rummynose cause they're awesome!


P.s You've got my dream tank going on here so make me proud!!! thumbs2:

[Incredulous_Ed]

Dont double it, TRIPLE it.

[shockshockshad]

TRIPLE it! Oh wow! 36 rummynoses! I have always liked cockatoo dwarfs. The other though are very nice. I will just see which my LFS has.

[Ellen4God]

I want a cichlid or two at some point. I love their colors and shape.

Definitely post some pictures of what you get!! Good luck thumbs2:

[shockshockshad]

I won't set it up untill after spring break. I don't want someone watching a cycling a new tank while I am on vacation.

[sailor]

How long will you be gone. If only a week or so put a few jumbo market shrimp skins and a few rocks to weigh it down in a ziplock bag poked with a few holes into your tank. That will start your cycle nicely for you.

[shockshockshad]

I am going to have bio spira though I think. I just want to watch the new fish and all. I don'y want anything to go wrong because it is a new tank. I can wait a few weeks.

[sailor]

I keep forgetting our neighbors to the south can use the bio spira for that instant cycle look and feel. They don't sell it in Canada.

[Algenco]

Bio-spira works great, but is expensive.
I like the shrimp method Sailor mentioned.

[toddnbecka]

Filter media from an established tank is better than shrimp or Bio-Spira...

[shockshockshad]

I was going to use established media with biospira- I always do.

[Wyomingite]

A. borelli and A. cacatuoides have already been mentioned. A. agassizii is easy to keep, and pairs up/breeds readily if conditioned well. Not as readily available as either of the others, at least not here in the Rocky Mountain region, but still worth a try if you have the opportunity.

I know you said Apistos, but another small, peaceful cichlid that I've always had great luck with is the golden dwarf acara, Nannacara anomala. I'm not exaggerating when I say if you put a male and a female in a tank together, they'll spawn.

[DCguy]

One consideration is if they are wild or tank raised fish. In my experience wild fish are muchmore agressive and sensitive than tank raised.

As already reccommended, cacatoides, borellii and agassizii are good choices. I would also add panduro, steindachneri and sp. rotpunkt.

DCguy

[Incredulous_Ed]

Ive also heard mamasteri is pretty easy to keep, as well as baesenchi.

[shockshockshad]

Well whatever my LFS has will be what I get. If they have any of what you said I will get them!