Fire red apisto

[kizno1]

I just got given a free pair of fire red apistogramma agassizii. I put them in my 21G. i found out that what i thought was a female in my 21G was a really young male and between them they killed the female i did have. so ive split them up The bigger on is in the 30G and the smaller one is in the 15G with bn fry.
Hers a pic of the new ones but there a little stressed out in the pic
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the male has brightened up alot already and has a really bright purple stripe down his back.
My old male apisto seems to be settling in to the 30G ok he has chased a few fish but i think that just him showing hes boss. The smaller male in the 15G has been perfect hasnt nipped out bit any of the fry. Im going to try and sell or give away the smaller on as i can really keep him with the fry if i add smaller ones.
I plan on breeding these new apisto and trying the wet and dry season i posted in my other apisto topic
So far im planning live and frozen foods for the next 2-3 weeks then drop the water level down to 3/4 then leave for another week and drop down to 1/2 then leave another week and drop it down to 1/4 leave for another week then top up to full with cooler water and then hopefully they will breed.

[kizno1]

They both had frozen blood worm and ate it within seconds. They really do brighten up the tank because most of the other fish in ther are silver or a browny colour these really stand out. Plus theres alot of wood and dark sand so they show up well.

[kizno1]

The new ones have settled in really well. The male is exactly the same as my older male. He likes to let the other fish know whos boss and the female is the same as my one that died just lets the male get on with it and eats any food that hits the water haha. I was a bit worried about how the older apisto would get on in the 30G with the bns and fry but havent seen him nip or evan chase a fish in the tank and he seems to be enjoying the space hes been alot more active the last few days.The small male still hasnt really settled and just hides evan though hes the biggest thin in the tank Im not to sure what to do with him i havent go anywhere else to put him but dont really want to take him back.

[silverrabbit]

These are really pretty

[kizno1]

The little male aint looking to good. Hes stopped eating and is just hiding so ive put him in a mesh breeding trap with a sponge filter made from a old fish tub and ive added some oak leaves and hopefully he will pulll through. im going to get some lives tomorrow so hopefully that will tempt him to eat.

[silverrabbit]

Oh no fingers x'd. Hopefully the live food will perk him up

[kizno1]

He had a couple but wasnt that interested. Atleast the bigger male is doing well he hasnt chased or nipped any other fish evan 1cm long bn fry which is a surprise and hes colouring up nicely. The new apisto have really coloured up and should be ready to breed soon.

[silverrabbit]

Is he looking any better? poor fishy, I hate it when they're sick

[kizno1]

Not to much better but seems to have perked up a little. Hes not in a divided 10G that was going to be a sump but the 15G tank they where in has started leaking the seal split and ive only had it 1 year brand new

[kizno1]

The little male seems to be going down hill hes stopped eating and is moving about the bottom panting. I really dont know whats wrong or what i can do. He was healthier when i had him in with the other male who used to chase him. I thought once i separated them he would do alot better but it doest look like it.

[silverrabbit]

I'm sorry he's not looking good Kiz

[kizno1]

Just gave him a little crushed flake, tetra prima and a algea wafer and he hasnt touched any. Hopefully he will eat them overnight.

[kizno1]

The little one didnt make it through the night :[

[silverrabbit]

RIP little fella

[2tall]

Sorry to Hear Kizno!

[Irish_Lass]

I'm really sorry Kiz.

[kizno1]

I lost the male fire red while i was on holiday. He died the day i got back and looked fine but had wedged himself under some wood so dont know what was wrong but im gutted they seemed to be pairing up before i left :[.

[2tall]

What a bummer Kiz. Sorry to hear it!

[kizno1]

Just a bit. Its going to cost me £10 for another male but im not sure if ill bother. I might try and get 5 young ones and grow them up instead. I want to try and find a pair of wild caught apisto not sure which types but most look amazing IMO.

[2tall]

Maybe the five young ones if you're set on breeding them.

I did finally get that used 10gl. tank. Gotta figure out what I'm gonna do with it!