apistogramma, nano fish breeding.

Ive been in the hobby about 7 years now. Haven't had any success breeding except Kribs. Want to try my hand at it again.

Can I successfully breed Apistogramma in something small such as a 30 gallon or 20 gallon long?

Any tips breeding Apistogramma?

What about other species? Easy ones or complicated ones? Rare ones?

Ive always liked killi or badis badis? Any breeders out there with tips?


Not trying to make money just take the hobby to a new level...

Any input appreciated.

Hi Chad,

Several GSAS members are better at this than I am like Kathy Olson and Dave Sanford but I breed Apistos in a 10 gallon and once the fry are large enough move them to a 20 gallon. I condition the pair for a couple of weeks with frozen bloodworms, live brine shrimp, and other tasty treats and they typically spawn after a water change.

Here is the 10 gallon with the 'love shack' and wood cave they use for spawning.
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Good stuff Roy. The little detailed tips is what Im looking for. One thing I like about Washington fishbox is the pictures commonly shared- like your smaller planted tanks, but I will definitely chime in airstone & search archives for more information. Yesterday I bumped into and picked up a meta-frame tank (20g long). I'm happy to learn it will be possible to breed Apistogramma in it.

Although I have a nice little collection of Apistogramma males I'm on the hunt for
A. macmasteri.

Chad, macmasteri is a beautiful little guy! I'd encourage you to pick him and run with him to breed.

I really like your phrase, ''Not trying to make money just take the hobby to a new level...''. I think it makes you more of a ''purist''. That is, you are enjoying the hobby for its pure intrinsic pleasure. What I feel is that when you get a pair of fish to spawn, you have provided them almost perfect conditions. THAT, my friendly acquaintance, to me is the epitome of fish husbandry.

Hope to see you this coming weekend. Billy's talking about meeting up there in your area on Saturday, and hitting a few LFSs, including AQuarium Co-op!

Thank you Ron. Just picked up a couple smaller tanks, going to get them cleaned up & running.I'll concentrate on natural bio-scapes & give breeding a shot!

The weekend was busy with travel. I'm hoping to make the Tuesday GSAS meeting. I should be meeting Billy this coming Saturday @ aquarium co-op to exchange plants and snails