- Messages
- 429
- Location
- Burlington, Vermont
Being new to the Apisto hobby, I have many questions before I actually purchase fish. I'm not necessarily looking to purchase "show fish", but I do want to find good quality specimens. I'd love to hear your opinions and advice on this topic.
I've been interested in raising Apistos for quite a few years, but Apistos are rare in the shops in my area. I've only talked to a couple people who have raised Apistos and that was many years ago. Until now, I haven't had the necessary time or space to pursue this interest. I'm hoping if I'm able to raise some good quality Apistos, I'll be able to get more people from my area interested.
Actually, I can't even say I'm new at this, because I haven't purchased even my first Apisto! I'm even greener than new! Although I have raised some Kribinsis and Salvini's and Blue Acra's in the past and I currently have a pair of Salvini's preparing to spawn any day now.
Anyhow, here are a few of the "genetics" questions that have come to mind:
- Being "uncommon" fish that raise small families, it seems that there probably has been some serious inbreeding. Is this a problem at all with Apistos?
Are the more colorful specimens more inbred or less inbred?
- If they are more inbred then how does this effect their health and longevity?
- What is the life expectancy of an Apisto? Does it vary from species to species?
- Are wild Apistos still collected? All species?
- I heard that many of the Apistos available in the U.S. are from German stock. How true is this?
- Are German Apistos as healthy as they are attractive?
- any links to any web articles on this topic? good book?
Michael
I've been interested in raising Apistos for quite a few years, but Apistos are rare in the shops in my area. I've only talked to a couple people who have raised Apistos and that was many years ago. Until now, I haven't had the necessary time or space to pursue this interest. I'm hoping if I'm able to raise some good quality Apistos, I'll be able to get more people from my area interested.
Actually, I can't even say I'm new at this, because I haven't purchased even my first Apisto! I'm even greener than new! Although I have raised some Kribinsis and Salvini's and Blue Acra's in the past and I currently have a pair of Salvini's preparing to spawn any day now.
Anyhow, here are a few of the "genetics" questions that have come to mind:
- Being "uncommon" fish that raise small families, it seems that there probably has been some serious inbreeding. Is this a problem at all with Apistos?
Are the more colorful specimens more inbred or less inbred?
- If they are more inbred then how does this effect their health and longevity?
- What is the life expectancy of an Apisto? Does it vary from species to species?
- Are wild Apistos still collected? All species?
- I heard that many of the Apistos available in the U.S. are from German stock. How true is this?
- Are German Apistos as healthy as they are attractive?
- any links to any web articles on this topic? good book?
Michael