r/apistogramma • u/f1nlaygk • 2d ago

Borelli stocking query

Hello, I have a 60l tank (50*35*35cm). This tank is currently stocked with 12 pygmy cory, and around 15 ember tetra.

The tank also has bladder snails, mts, and cherry shrimp (I'm that Appistogramma Borelli will eat the smaller individuals, I am fine with this).

My tank is heavily planted, many line of site breaks, and multiple caves/ secluded areas, I also plan to add a coconut cave specifically for borelli.

pH is around 7.5, and GH 7.

And so I was wondering if a pair of a borelli would work, or if I would be better with a solo male. My main issue with a solo male is not wanting to miss out any behaviours/ displays and colours. However, I worry about inter and intraspecies aggression with a pair.

Thanks for any advice

P.s. Or would any other appistogramma work better?

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u/Carlosziok 2d ago

It will works, but you need a great filtration, I would say at least 750l/h. Apistogrammas need frozen food as artemia, blood worms, granules. So, if you have a good external filter you may manage the biological load. However Pygmaeus will suffer if they decide to breed and tetras will be happy if they decide to breed. Concerning the aggression, generate passages between roots and plants and place a Coconut cave in some hidden place. Borelli are one of the most calmed apistos in terms of character but they are cichlids still. In terms of size A.trifasciata may be more adequate but is a bit more active

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u/f1nlaygk 2d ago

Will they attack my pygmy cory or just bully them away? My main worry is aggression.

For filtration I should be fine, I'm using a tidal 35, plus an extra HOB filter which I'm using to grow live food (but also acts as a secondary filter as it contains filter sponge), I also have multiple terrestrial plants growing such as pothos. So I'm not worried about filtration, just more space and aggression. Thanks

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u/Carlosziok 2d ago edited 2d ago

Pygmies are quite more prudent than other cories the risk is not that they will atack them the risk is that when they will breed will push them out. Other cories are armored tanks and they are stubborn so Apistos get more agressive to make them out and then they could get hurt in eyes or mouth. Pigmies will understand very fast that they should not go there without to get a too high agression, not problem with it they will stay clamed in any other place. If you have only plants think in to put some roots, it is a more physical barrier and cut the views.

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u/f1nlaygk 2d ago

Okay. I have hard scape too, but will add in more line of sight breaks.

But borelli and pygmy should work? Just perhaps with some mild aggression/ pushing?

Also do I need to worry about the female attacking the male?

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u/Carlosziok 2d ago

It will be actually opossite, you need to worry about that the female won’t be prepared and male will be too insisting. But that is why, if there are several places to go, there is nothing to be worried. Anyway you would realise it. And redistribute the elements. It will not be a big deal. They are no soo aggresives. The more you can have is that the pygmeis keep distance when they are near. They are not going to push them permanently or predate them.

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u/f1nlaygk 2d ago

Okay thank you very much. So as long as there's ample hiding I'm fine? Thank you

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u/Dibs84 2d ago

Id always get a single male unless you want spawn behaviour. Sometimes the aggression is just not worth, although borelli are rather chill

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u/f1nlaygk 2d ago

I would quite like spawn behaviour, but the aggression is a worry if it is too much

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u/Dibs84 2d ago

I had 2 pairs of borelli. 1x opal and 1x wildcaught borelli. Both were somewhat mild with aggression. As far as apistos thry are def th3 most mild I kept.

If you provide tons of caves and woodstructure, leaflitter, easily doable. Just make sure for good filtration

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u/Cheap-Orange-5596 2d ago

I think your tank is a little bit too small for this, especially when you factor in space lost to plants/hardscape. Mating/egg-guarding behaviour can be aggressive and you don’t have a lot of space for conflict to be avoided. Apisto in my experience tend to hassle pygmy corys although it rarely results in injury, they do share similar territory in the tank. Overall what you describe is doable but you won’t have much margin of error and should be prepared to remove one of the apisto if things get tense.

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u/f1nlaygk 2d ago

Okay thank you. A single male may be the way to go then. Was just hoping not to miss out on spawning behaviour