Few Questions

[Triton]

Hey all. Finally know what I will put in my tank (unless i hear a good argument)

A LFS has double red apisto for $10/ea. Right now I plan to get my sterbai or similar cory at a local auction 2/17/13. So onto my questions

1. Would it be ok to add apistos before i add the cory?

2. I've seen mixed answers on whether the apistos should be in pairs or harems... what do you all think?

3. I have probably 3 hiding holes from the driftwood, along with plants etc, is this good enough, or should i add some more types of caves

[Sandz]

1. Would it be ok to add apistos before i add the cory?

I would say yes as far as ammonia and territory is conscerned. However being that they are not from the same tanks or store, you need to QT the new fish.

2. I've seen mixed answers on whether the apistos should be in pairs or harems... what do you all think?

I have always put appisto's in harem set ups. They yield more fry that way and thats the bottom line for me when I am breeding the fish. If you are just looking for a nice fish, you only need 1 male.

3. I have probably 3 hiding holes from the driftwood, along with plants etc, is this good enough, or should i add some more types of caves.

Appisto's are cave dwellers so they will always appreciate the caves but I am sure with ample coverage and no aggression the need will be minimal and you will be fine.

[Triton]

Would you say (1m / 1f) or (1m / 2-3f) or (2m / 2+f)?

[Sandz]

1m/3f is what I used for breeding them. Also, depending on tank size, I wouldnt put another male in.

[Triton]

Great, thank you. I had hoped for a 1m/1f set up (just cheaper at $10/fish)

If they breed great, if not I won't be upset

[Sandz]

I wish you luck, get some pictures to us once they acclimate.

[Triton]

yea I may pick them up this weekend. I have been waiting patiently. I may start with 2 for now and add later on if needed. Do you have any tips of what I should look for at the LFS (how to tell the sexes apart, any problems i should avoid, any good traits to look for?)

[Triton]

Picked up 3, was told 1 male 2 females, positive that I got 1 male and 1 female, just not sure about the 3rd

Can't upload the photos until I get to a computer, but so far so good.

[Triton]

Female 1 (I think)


Female 2 (I think)


Male

[Triton]

Can someone confirm the sexes?? I am worried about possibly having more than 1 male. But after the weekend the tank dynamic has changed so much by adding to these 3

-Zebra Danios all schooling much more
-Cherry Barbs sticking together
-Dwarf Gourami and the male don't get along, but seems they have each picked their own part of the tank (DG at top, Apisto at bottom)
-Otos don't seem to care at all

I have started feeding frozen brine shrimp, still feeding flake, and also picked up small Hikari Cichlid Gold pellets

Haven't noticed the apistos liking anything in particular