How To Encourage Male Apisto To Breed?

This is the second time now that my female apisto (probably just over an inch in size) has laid eggs inside my community tank. She has a half coconut that she lays the eggs in. My problem is mainly that I never see the male (who is slightly bigger than her) go near there. Last time the eggs seemed to just disappear which makes me think they weren't fertilised, but how would one encourage the male to go in there and fertilise them? The two of them get along well in the tank but he doesn't seem to know what's expected of him yet, lol

 

My eggs did the same

 

Watching with interest.... I'm new to apistos and don't have any breeding yet, but I have several young ones growing out and am hoping for at least one pair.

 

If they are still that small, they’re very young. The male will learn what he needs to do as he gets older. Just feed them good, high quality meaty foods and keep the water clean.

 

If they are still that small, they’re very young. The male will learn what he needs to do as he gets older. Just feed them good, high quality meaty foods and keep the water clean.

Okay I just double checked and the female is about 1 and a half inches and the male is close to two. Sorry I work in cm and just checked the conversions, oops! But yes probably still a bit on the small side I guess

 

Also wondering if it would be better to have them in a separate smaller tank. They're in a 75 gallon with a few other fish that the male seems to get distracted by. I planned to set up a breeding tank for them but didn't think the female would start spawning this soon.

 

Okay I just double checked and the female is about 1 and a half inches and the male is close to two. Sorry I work in cm and just checked the conversions, oops! But yes probably still a bit on the small side I guess

Oh I’m sorry for that lol. Either way, the first few spawns don’t alwys hatch. Give them some time together and the male will realize that he should fertilize the eggs.

Also wondering if it would be better to have them in a separate smaller tank. They're in a 75 gallon with a few other fish that the male seems to get distracted by. I planned to set up a breeding tank for them but didn't think the female would start spawning this soon.

Yes it would be better to give them their own breeding tank. That way there is nothing in the tank it’s distract either fish or predate on the eggs/fry

 

Sounds good, I'll get to setting up another tank when I have a chance thanks!

 

Depending on the species of apisto, you can breed them in a 10 gallon tank. I have a pair of apisto agasizziI in a 10 that I’m hoping will breed

 

Depending on the species of apisto, you can breed them in a 10 gallon tank. I have a pair of apisto agasizziI in a 10 that I’m hoping will breed

Cacatuoides is what I have. AgasizziI are stunning! Hope to have some in the future

 

You might be able to get away with a 10 gallon to breed cacatuoides. If you can, a 15 gallon or a 20 long would be better

 

I breed BorelliI in 10 gl. but a cacatuoides I would use a 20 long.

 

They may just be young, it took my BorelliI a few try's before they got it right, I know live food and W/C help. good luck

 

I reckon she layed eggs about 2 days ago and she's still protecting some eggs today. Previously the other eggs were all gone much sooner and in general any unfertilised eggs in my tank seem to dissolve within a day or so. Could this mean that they potentially are fertilised?

 

I reckon she layed eggs about 2 days ago and she's still protecting some eggs today. Previously the other eggs were all gone much sooner and in general any unfertilised eggs in my tank seem to dissolve within a day or so. Could this mean that they potentially are fertilised?

Could very likely be that they are fertilized

 

Are you seeing any fry yet?

 

No I turned over the coconut the next day and the eggs were gone and don't see any fry either... funny though cause she's still in her breeding colours and guarding the coconut yukondog

 

If she is still in the cave and guarding it I would leave her alone, I have done the same thing only to see her bring fry out a week later. What type of bottom do you have sand/gravel? If gravel, the wigglers can disappear into them pretty fast.

 

If she is still in the cave and guarding it I would leave her alone, I have done the same thing only to see her bring fry out a week later. What type of bottom do you have sand/gravel? If gravel, the wigglers can disappear into them pretty fast.

It's black blasting sand. I'll give her time and see what happens, thanks for the info!

 

A smaller breeding tank like a 20 long makes it easier to keep the water in the breeding tank within the parameters that's best for breeding.

 

Try mirror therapy for the male .
20-30 minutes a day with a mirror on one end of tank every day.
I think you will find info on it if you search it .

 

I've done that with my male BorelliI before and it really gets him fired up.