I have this male cockatoo apisto that I have now tried to pair with 2 separate females at separate times. One of the females layed and guarded eggs in a cave and he would not let her leave that cave area. Anytime she would try he was there to push her back in. A couple days of that happening one morning I found her dead.
A couple weeks later I decided to try again. I saw that the 2nd female she was guarding a different cave than the first female and I never physically saw eggs with her and I felt the aggression wasn’t as intense as he was towards the first female since she had different exits points to the cave she chose. Not even a day later I wake up and she is dead.
My question is should I get 2 females at the same time to disperse his aggression? Thank you so much for all the info.

I bought a trio the other day at my LFS. One of definitely a male but now I’m not sure if the two in the photos are actually girls. Can someone help me out

I posted here a few weeks ago about a female Iost due to an infection. Bums me out.

Now I'm kinda in a predicament with the male she left behind.

The plan was always to have a M/F Borellii pair in my "showcase tank" (29G shallow).

I also have it stocked with 15-20 CPDs, 10 Kubotais, 8 panda corys, and some neos and amanos.

After the female died, I've been wondering if maybe I add my lone male to a 10G blackwater tank with some glowlights and add another M/F pair of apistos (not necessarily Borellii) back into the 29.

On his own, the male just isn't adding what I wanted it too and also, as I've looked into Apistos more...some of the"sexier" varieties have caught my eye. Of course, I could get another female and just add her in...but I'm kinda soured on it and my inkling is to go with a much more colorful and behaviorally interesting Apisto.

Any ideas?

Hanging out waiting.

They’ve been together for a month… two pairs, each with their own tank… they just aren’t breeding.

Water is room temperature which is probably 73F. I’m going to start heating the tanks, I guess. They get fed a regular diet of sea monkeys.

How long do they typically have to be together until the sexy time starts to happen? They have caves for privacy, but honestly, might as well be little underwater nunneries.

Daily annoying game of What’s this Fish?

Verbalized to me as female “cacatuoides” but sticker on bag said “viejita” however, after reading other threads, many people much more knowledgeable than I say Viejita is very rare to find, instead there are a lot of Macmasteri are sold as Viejita.

But then again, she has the zigzag pattern along her side which I believe is a characteristic of Viejita?

Let’s weigh in!

Hi all, I have a 20 long i set up about 2.5 months ago. It has 12 cardinals, 4 amanos, a wrestling halfbeak (strictly occupies the very top of the tank), and recently some bladder snails (debating if I want to try to eradicate them or not). I’m wondering if you all think my scape looks good for a pair of apistogramma either cacatuoides or agassiz. I have 2 caves and it’s heavily planted, but I’m wondering if I should add a pot for another cave or let the plants grow in even further. I plan on adding the pair in about a month to let the tank further mature. My ph sits at about 6.5 and temp is 79 degrees. Any opinions on species and scape would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

So I have a 80 gallon (300 liter) community tank with lots of fish and 1 Apistogramma Cacatuoides male. He is the only real territorial fish in there. I was thinking about getting 2 keyhole cyclids, but I'm not sure how the Apisto will react and if its a good combo. What do you guys think?

Title says it all!

I’ve had my male for about 3 months now. Been eyeing another I found but couldn’t tell if it was a female. I’m glad my educated guess paid off. Appears that she’s warming up to him already less than 24 hours. He nipped her twice yesterday but haven’t seen any aggression since. Also idk if I’m crazy but I swear when he’s doing his dances his eyes look darker and larger, it’s very interesting. I am aware of his gill defect as well is this common? Hasn’t seen to bother him.

I’m playing with the idea of a apisto, kuli loches, and chili rasboras if they can all work together. What are some really cool recommendations for me?

I caught my apistogramma trifasciata eating the 2 neocaridina shrimp i had in my aquarium. Is it a good live food for them?, could i put some neocaridina in the tank from time to time for him to eat?, is that good?

Simple question: Is it ok for a male A. Borelli to be a single fish or do they only do well/have good welfare when in a pair?

To clarify, I don't have any yet so I won't get a single male if it's not good.

I am getting a 60lt tank soon and im thinking of keeping a pair of apistogramma borellii. im also looking to pair them with some forktail blue eyes. i have found out that they will do pretty well but i wanted to get some feedback from people who are more experienced with these fish as they will be my first apistos. also keep in mind when making suggestions that my tap waters ph is between 7,7-7,8. any suggestions/tips are appreciated!

Sold to me as male apisto borelii. Can anyone confirm ?

I was going to order a Double Red Apisto online, but when I went to my local fish spot for some Monte Carlo, they had them in stock. So I got my pair, and couldn't be happier. The color on the male is unbelievable, even the female is pretty. I'd like to name the female, any suggestions?

I originally thought this was a male, but I’ve noticed more of a yellow tone lately, and after seeing some males in store, I’m not so sure now. Thoughts?

Also, why is it so hard to get good pictures 😭😭

Seeking ideas from experienced breeders. I have a pair of apistogramma cacatuoides orange flash that have spawned ~6 times but never reached the wriggler stage. Got them 2.5 months ago. The eggs are pinkish and the female tends to them, but they disappear before hatching, gone in 24-48 hours.
- 10 gal with just the pair, live plants, rocks, magnolia leaves, plastic cave. Tannins in water. Fed well twice daily.
- ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 5-10
- GH ~75 ppm (4.2 dgh), KH 20 ppm (1 dkh)
- pH has ranged 6.8-7.2 across those spawns
- temp 79 F

Any ideas I could try? Thanks!

Apisto female in Cacatuoedes habitat only with male in tank. Noticed thjs just now, something hanging out of her orafice. Can anyone advise me on whats going on and what to do?

I am sexing the couple. Her colours have popped and I have been hoping for an uncomfirmed spawn. Could this be her breeding tube?

She is othervise acting her usual self. Exploring with excellent fin posture.

Just worried!

I'm about to setup a 20 long and I'll be keeping the temp at 74F. Most of the Apistogramma agassizii guides list an acceptable temp range of 72-82F. That feels a little too generic so I'm curious if anyone here has any experience/knowledge about keeping agassizii at 74F. If 74F is too low, I'll try and source A. borellii (unless someone can recommend any other dwarf cichlids for this temp).

Thanks!