Andrew
August 15th 05, 05:47 AM
I've got a pair of blue rams in a 35 gallon tank (3'x14"
footprint). What are my chances of successfully adding a small harem of
Apisto cacatuoides to the tank? My main concerns are temperature and
compatibility. If anyone has successfully or unsuccessfully kept them
together I'd love to know.
The temperature is 27oC (~80F-81F). I'd prefer not to lower it for
the sake of the rams. Would cacatuoides handle this temperature for the
long term? I've kept and spawned cacatuoides before in the same tank
(at a lower temperature) so it's mainly the temperature rather than
my water parameters that concerns me.
As for compatibility, I realise that these fish will be competing for
floor space so I expect squabbling while they're trying to establish
territories. Cacatuoides are reputedly one of the more aggressive SA
dwarf cichlids so I'm concerned that the aggression will continue and
take a toll on the rams, especially if the Apistos breed. Ideally I'd
like both the rams and Apisto's to be able to spawn. The tank is
heavily planted with a lot of caves and hiding spots but will this be
enough?
Tankmates:
Harlequin rasporas
Ancistris
Any chance of keeping rams with cac's or should I just get some more
rams?
Thanks
Andrew
PS I'm sure there may be other Apisto's better suited to my setup
than cacatuoides but here in Melbourne Australia, your lucky to find a
LFS that carries cacatuoides let alone any other species. Even rams are
few and far between.
footprint). What are my chances of successfully adding a small harem of
Apisto cacatuoides to the tank? My main concerns are temperature and
compatibility. If anyone has successfully or unsuccessfully kept them
together I'd love to know.
The temperature is 27oC (~80F-81F). I'd prefer not to lower it for
the sake of the rams. Would cacatuoides handle this temperature for the
long term? I've kept and spawned cacatuoides before in the same tank
(at a lower temperature) so it's mainly the temperature rather than
my water parameters that concerns me.
As for compatibility, I realise that these fish will be competing for
floor space so I expect squabbling while they're trying to establish
territories. Cacatuoides are reputedly one of the more aggressive SA
dwarf cichlids so I'm concerned that the aggression will continue and
take a toll on the rams, especially if the Apistos breed. Ideally I'd
like both the rams and Apisto's to be able to spawn. The tank is
heavily planted with a lot of caves and hiding spots but will this be
enough?
Tankmates:
Harlequin rasporas
Ancistris
Any chance of keeping rams with cac's or should I just get some more
rams?
Thanks
Andrew
PS I'm sure there may be other Apisto's better suited to my setup
than cacatuoides but here in Melbourne Australia, your lucky to find a
LFS that carries cacatuoides let alone any other species. Even rams are
few and far between.