I was thinking about getting some apistogramma for my new 50 gallon, but I've never kept chiclids and I just wanted some advice about keeping them. I read that they aren't for beginners and they only spawn in soft water, my water is always hard. Also I've never seen any them at any LFS. Where can you get them, and how much do they go for?

__________________
50 Bowfront, 2 Acei, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Orange, 1 Albino, 2 Blue African Cichlids
30 Gal, 3 Fantail Goldfish, 1 Black Ryukin, 1 Common Pleco
20 Gal, Mollies, Platies, Cories, Algae Eaters
15 Gal, Swordtails, Balloon Mollies, Rasboras
10 Gal, 2 Knight Gobies
10 Gal, 2 Bolivian Rams
1.5 Gal, Male Betta

__________________
I have been keeping fish for 10 year's

Thanks, but I've done some research on them and I want to know if theres anything special you have to do for them, or whats the best water conditions, temp, etc. Oh and where to get them for a good price. Thanks tho.

__________________
50 Bowfront, 2 Acei, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Orange, 1 Albino, 2 Blue African Cichlids
30 Gal, 3 Fantail Goldfish, 1 Black Ryukin, 1 Common Pleco
20 Gal, Mollies, Platies, Cories, Algae Eaters
15 Gal, Swordtails, Balloon Mollies, Rasboras
10 Gal, 2 Knight Gobies
10 Gal, 2 Bolivian Rams
1.5 Gal, Male Betta

they are fine if you % waterchange 1 x a week and boogwod and plants help to bring the ph down, depending on what specie you go for they can range from £8 a pair to £65. to the world of apistos.....

I would join GuppyNGoldfish asking almost the same question. I am lazy to change water often. Currently, I have a 29 g tank with live plants and some fish, tiger barbs, platies and glowlight tetras. The tank is equipped with Aqueon power filter. I did not change water since April. The water is clear, plants grow slowly and fish is happy. If I add some Apistogramma spacies, a pair of them, would they be happy as well? Which Apistogramma species is least picky and still pretty? I am sure Pelvicachromis pulcher would be doing well in my 29 g tank, but which Apistogramma would fit here?

None of the apistos will work for either of you. They need lower ph to thrive and a good regime for water changes.

__________________
SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

have you considered rams, bolivian, royal and blue rams can be quite versatile in water conditions, i know bolivians are anyway from own experience

__________________
"Just Keep Swimming Just Keep Swimming Swimming Swimming"

I personally do water changes all the time, I haven't looked into the Rams, but I will. They look pretty cool, only thing I'd worry about is if they are aggressive and how many can I keep in a 50 gallon?

__________________
50 Bowfront, 2 Acei, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Orange, 1 Albino, 2 Blue African Cichlids
30 Gal, 3 Fantail Goldfish, 1 Black Ryukin, 1 Common Pleco
20 Gal, Mollies, Platies, Cories, Algae Eaters
15 Gal, Swordtails, Balloon Mollies, Rasboras
10 Gal, 2 Knight Gobies
10 Gal, 2 Bolivian Rams
1.5 Gal, Male Betta

i have bolivians with cory, dwarf gourami,neon tetras and shrimp and do not have any troubles even when the pair breed. You could do 2-4 in that size as long as it has planting and plenty of "hiding" spots

__________________
"Just Keep Swimming Just Keep Swimming Swimming Swimming"

I kept 10 bolivians in a 55 with angels, cories and bristlenose.

__________________
SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

Assorted Apistogramma

Quick Stats:

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Water Conditions: 72-86° F, KH 2-15, pH 5.0-7.0
Max. Size: 3½"
Color Form: Assorted
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Amazon, Guyana, South America
Family: Cichlidae

I currently have a 40g Breeder tank that I'm going to be using for these fish. As it stand the water temp is at 79, ph is 6.5 and kH is 7. I've read that using Cichlid Salt to bring the kH to a happy medium (7-8) would help the fish thrive and also help maintain there beautiful colors.

There are many beautiful dwarf's available at many local fish stores, but for their colors alone many people are attracted to those of the Apistogramma genus. Many of those offered for sale will live very nicely in most municipal water but breeding them is usually a different story.