Dicrossus filamentosus(checkerboard chiclid)?

[FSEMTB2]

Anybody have this species of dwarf chiclid? I aquired one and didnt realize they where so sensitive. If anyone has any experience please share

 

[Gillie]

Delicate doesn't even begin to describe them. I have six, and keep them in a 30 gal with some ottos. In my expierience I have found them to be easier to keep if you use RO water and add the trace vitamins to the water or filter through peat, and do a 20% water change weekly to keep the water quality as best as it can be. I also like to keep them in lower light with some driftwood and java fern as they tend to be skittish and stress easily. I also keep all males because they are next to impossibe for me to get them to spawn. I hope any of this helps.

 

[Zagz]

Moved to Cichlid Discussion.

 

[FSEMTB2]

Where do you add the peat? In the filter media?

 

[Gillie]

I keep mine in the filter. They have peat pellets, but I found some that came in a fiberous mat form which I prefer to use.

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

During the short time I kept them, I found that water quality was more important than keeping it super-soft and acidic (assuming they're captive-bred and properly acclimated, of course). They absolutely will not tolerate any significant nitrate levels, so they require very regular water changes.

Personally, I didn't think they were any more difficult to keep than the other Apisto species, as long as proper water conditions were maintained.

They're a great fish-- enjoy yours!