Which Apistogramma is right for you? 

Just to point out to novices, Apistogramma cacatuoides, A. agassizii, A. macmasteri, etc, are species NOT types. Aquarium strains of wild species, such as the A. cacatuoides (double red, I think) that is shown here are varieties or variants. There are a number of colour varieties, morphs or variants of A. agassizii in the hobby. A second tip I would give to novices is to use large tanks: the Apistogramma Study Group and the British Cichlid Association found many years ago that male Apistogramma hold large territories in the wild, and keeping them in small tanks led to increased levels of aggression towards tank mates and conspecifics. There is some variation between species, but bigger tanks with lots of hiding places for the females work better than small tanks. Keeping them in pairs is often a mistake; most apistos are polygynous, so it is better to keep them in trios, or, even better, as one male with three females. That way, the male will not focus his attention on just one female. Keeping other small, mid-water swimming fishes (dithers) with them has been shown to distract the male's aggression from the females; the male will endeavour to keep them away from his territory, giving the females some respite from his attentions. A key aspect of breeding apistos is conditioning the females. If the females are not in breeding condition and do not respond appropriately to the courtship of the male, then they will be attacked and, in confined quarters, most likely killed. The male's intent is to oust her from his territory in the hope that he can attract a ripe female who will reciprocate his courtship. This important factor is omitted from the video. Feeding live foods brings the females into condition quicker than feeding dry foods. Another key aspect not covered is the provision of the appropriate water parameters for the different species of Apistogrammas. Tap water was mentioned, but this is of little use in the US and Europe where there can be great disparity in water quality between different utilities and providers. Many households still use well water. The majority of Apistogramma species occur in soft, acidic waters. Some prefer blackwaters that are tea coloured. A lot of the tank bred varieties included in this presentation (such as A. cacatuoides) are not fussy as to water quality, nitrogenous excluded. Lowering the pH often leads to breeding success. Regarding aggression in Apistogramma agassizii, there is another variable to be considered here. This species has a very wide distribution in the wild and is found in many river basins and small streams. These populations are recognised by differences in colour patterns of the males. It is now thought that almost certainly, these geographical populations are incipient species. They have been isolated for so long that they no longer recognise other populations as being the same species behaviourally, ie they look very similar but they 'speak a different dialect'. The wider the separation, the greater the divergence. Aquarium strains have been derived from different geographical populations, and different batches are often mixed in dealers' tanks. Therefore, obtaining a compatible pair can often be a matter of good luck. Purchasing wild caught fish that have been collected from one area is recommended, rather than trying to match up fishes from different suppliers whose stock might have been derived from unrelated geographical ancestors. A common mistake made by newcomers to keeping dwarf cichlids is to keep them in dwarf tanks. This doesn't always work out for the best. However, I should mention that there are species of Apistogramma that can be kept in smallish tanks (75 x 30cm), eg, A. regani, where the males are quite small, but this species is not common due to its rather dull colouration. Apistogramma borellii can be kept in pairs but in a large tank with dither fish. They prefer cooler temperatures and tolerate some hardness in their water. Apistogramma species are often nervous and shy in aquaria and can take a long time to accept their new surroundings before settling in. Providing them with the right conditions is paramount to breeding success. Paedophagy, or fry eating, is not just restricted to dwarf cichlids but occurs in many other species of cichlids such as angelfish. This is often a sign that something is not going right for them and the parents (often the females) give up. Naivety in young females plays a part in this, as does the disturbance around the tank, and here the advice is to persevere, keep the partners well fed and try again.

Great content keep up the good work

Nice cheers i like Apisto alot as well

Would be a great video if you talked about Parameters for each species.

This is a very comprehensive review of the apistogrammas. Have you had any experience with the Hongsloi and the Borelli? It would be great to hear your thoughts. Thanks

nice video keep up the great work

I just ordered a pair of apistogramma borellii opals! I’d like to get the cacatoides triple red next, great video mate🙂👍🏻

Awesome video , how do you feel about panduros?

How about dither fish with the Aggazzi pair i keep a few pairs and find the dithers work wonders.

hi iam getting a pair of apistogramma macmasteri but it was just labled macmasteri it has two red stripes on the top on bottom of the tail fin do you know what colour morph it is?

The Bolivian ram is right for me!

What dither fish would be best ?

I like to keep Apistogramma and I like to keep 1 and a Blue Ram together in a 10g tank with rock and live plants can this be done i done have in thing in the tank can you help me with this

Hey great vid may i add a couple things though Agazzii are true harem breeders the aggresion between male and female is real best to do bigger tank with los blocks and 3 f to 1 m ratio And to increase batch sizes o the macmasteri tanks lower the temp to 73-75 to iduce spawn then raise fry at no higher than 78 at least this has woked for me

Bought 6 young Apistograma Borelii can you you give me some information on them please. Ph temperature etc .thanks.

Are you still working with the black chin apistos?

Hi Guys, I want keep Apisto for 1st time. And I am getting Apistogramma Agassizii. Is it ok !! Is Agassizii is tough to keep !! How many Male & Female I can keep only Apisto tank !! It's a 11 US gallon or 40 Ltr. tank.

I have 2 10g tanks with 1 double red and other tripple apistos in them both have 2 females. Got plenty of caves, dither fish, water temp in around 79-80 and water is brackish. Feed the live foods, frozen blood worms, and put baby brinshrimp often. Can't seem to get them to breed yet.. any tips would be great..

I have a pair of macmasteri the males fully grown now and the female has bulked up too but he's never accepted her or shown any breeding signs I've had them 5+ months, I lost my Agazzi male and didnt want to leave the female alone so put her in with the macs and he's taken really well to her, any idea why he didn't take to the Mac female? Tank size is 15 gal heavily planted with caves

What are the first pair you showed called? Did you ever tell us?