Wild Apisto Cacatuoides.

[Microman]

My question concerns caring for the free swimming fry.
I have experienced on many occasions male Apisto Trifasciata conducting the brood caring duties,Does this rule also apply to wild Apisto Cacatuoides?
I have a male who will not allow the female near the free swimming fry,he is looking after the brood alone.
He is not doing the job as well as the female though.
Any advice on this subject would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark.

 

[Mike Wise]

Male care of fry by the more polyganous species like A. cacatuoides, is not typical, but not rare either. It usually occurs when the male has nothing to do because his territory does not need to be defended. As you can see, they are not good at this parenting job & usually lose most or all of the fry. I would pull the male if he were in my care.

 

[Microman]

Thanks Mike,
You are correct in the assumption that he has nothing else to do as the pair are in a 48" tank with no other occupants.
I normally do pull the male when breeding Apistos and wanting to raise the fry
but as i am growing out another brood from him i thought i would leave them to it this time and study the brood care.
If i add some dithers next time they breed then i assume he will then revert back to his normal territory guarding duties and leave the female to do what they do best.
Mark.