Question Advice On Suitable Nesting Sites Please

[AZL]

May I ask what people's dwarf cichlids prefer to nest in? My 2 pairs of rams have half flower pots which they ignore. I have a pair of cockatoo apistos in the other freshwater tank now who arrived yesterday and are already looking for a place to set up a household lol. Thank you!

 

[Feohw]

My rams will spawn on smooth rocks and decor in the tank that are covered by some plants and other decor. They dig holes in the substrate around the rock to move the wrigglers into. Apistogramma on the other hand tend to spawn in caves.

 

[AZL]

Thank you! what type of cave do your apistos like? Natural rock, ceramic, coconut, etc?

 

[Feohw]

Thank you! what type of cave do your apistos like? Natural rock, ceramic, coconut, etc?

I don't actually have apistogramma myself. People I've talked to have had them breed in coconut shells, clay pots, artificial and natural caves and such. I wouldn't necessarily believe what the cave is made of is too important. More so how secure it is. More than one cave is always a plus, they can choose which is best themselves.

 

[AZL]

Much appreciated, I'll put variety in. I'm not necessarily trying to breed them, just noticing they seem to be seeking a cave and the bogwood and plec rock isn't ideal for them to make a home in.

 

[Tbox]

Thank you! what type of cave do your apistos like? Natural rock, ceramic, coconut, etc?

My Apistogramma macmasteri found a crevasse between 2 rocks that I didn't even think had enough room to operate in. They must have done some excavation to make it more roomy.
I'm not certain, but the pic above looks like 2 males.
After a successful spawn and fry start wiggling around with mom, be sure to transfer the male and other tank mates to another tank. She will become very aggressive protecting her brood.

 

[PascalKrypt]

Yes, I was about to post here and point out that your picture shows two males.. I do hope you didn't get two males shipped as a pair...
The females generally aren't as colourful but more importantly, they don't have the extended fin rays at the front of the dorsal that both of yours have.

 

[AZL]

Thanks to both, yes i did wonder if two males - I spoke to the wholesaler myself about adding a male and female pair to the main shop order. They got it right with the golden wonder panchax pair, hope they didn't mess up with the apistos.

 

[PascalKrypt]

I just walked over and took a picture of my female (juvenile) cacatuoides, hope it helps.

 

[Feohw]

Didn't even see a pic in your original post until now. You'll have a hard time getting two males to breed haha!

 

[Momgoose56]

May I ask what people's dwarf cichlids prefer to nest in? My 2 pairs of rams have half flower pots which they ignore. I have a pair of cockatoo apistos in the other freshwater tank now who arrived yesterday and are already looking for a place to set up a household lol. Thank you! View attachment 624835
View attachment 624834

These are both males...

 

[AZL]

Yeah, they may well have gotten it wrong although the spikes on the dorsal are more even in the one that's meant to be female, just doesn't look that way in the pic. I don't mind as long as they don't fight, I wasn't planning to breed them, just wanted to be ready in case they did spawn. I'll put a cave either end of the tank and they can sort out where they want to be lol.

 

[AZL]

I must admit I've been calling them Mr & Mrs **** - Mr & Mr **** makes more sense

Hahahahaha been censored! as they're COCKatoo dwarf cichlids I'm sure you can work out what I've been calling them!

 

[PascalKrypt]

I must admit I've been calling them Mr & Mrs **** - Mr & Mr **** makes more sense

I like this tolerance vibe going on here, hehe.

What tank are you planning on keeping them in? If they have enough space it shouldn't be a problem (though personalities differ), but in a 20 or 30 gallon it may not be so wise.

 

[Momgoose56]

I like this tolerance vibe going on here, hehe.

What tank are you planning on keeping them in? If they have enough space it shouldn't be a problem (though personalities differ), but in a 20 or 30 gallon it may not be so wise.

At least "anal" isn't censored anymore. It was hard to describe an analfin when you couldn't call or what it was lol!

 

[coralbandit]

So not that it matters much now , but these are the preferred cave of Apistogramma Caucs IME .

If you had a female she would lead the male to the cave [he cares not without her] and she would lay eggs on the ceiling ,he would fertilize them and she would either chase him off or kill him . If she let him live then eventually she may even let him near the fry .To watch a pair escort fry around the tank is sight hard to match ..
Enjoy the boys IMO they stand less chance of killing each other if tank is set up right ..

 

[Tbox]

Heres my macmasteri female and male. The female has a much more natural camouflage pattern. The male will be the flamboyant knucklehead, trying to impress. The female is built for survival and protecting her fry. Not drawing attention from predators with flashy colors. When she stays motionless in the tank, the fry do to, and it will take me quite a while to spot her as she blends really well with any natural background.
The female is almost half the size of the male as adults... pretty sure this is consistent with all Apistogramma species.

 

[AZL]

Thank guys, I'm fairly certain I have a pair now as one is significantly smaller and drabber as well as lacking the spikes on the front of the dorsal fin. in the pick above the front is extended so looks higher than the back. Also, the little one has started doing what looks very much like the egg wiggle - I just put a nice cave in for them and they're straight in there. We'll see, to be honest I'm not fussed as long as they get on and are happy in the tank