Does attaining sexual dimorphism = sexual maturity?

[Kenny Poh]

Hi all,

The reason why I'm asking this question, is that I've just acquired a new pair of Ap. borelli.

The male is about 3.5 cm, and looked physically developed: coloured up, long pointed dorsal and ventrals.

The female is only abt half the male's size, but is already apparent that it is a female: slight yellow body, black markings and ventrals, etc.

My question is: at this size/age, assuming that their growth rate wsn't compromised, are they able to spawn and poduce viable eggs?

What are the youngest/smallest pair of apistos you guys had spawned, and the species?

Pardon me if the questions sound newbie-ish!

Cheers,

Kenny

 

[cootwarm]

I currently have 2 female borellii both slightly larger than 1.5 cm and both are caring for brood. The male is about 2.5 cm. The parents of these fish were also tiny when they first spawned.

I think they would have spawned sooner if I gave them their own tank. Until recently they shared their 30 gallon with 7 full grown borellii. They began spawning within days of me removing the adults.

Michael

 

[Kenny Poh]

Hi Mike,

Well, the young borelli paired just answered my query in the best possible way that they can, by giving me a spawn!

They spawned late last night, and the female is jealously guarding the clutch of eggs, chasing the male away. Hopefully, she doesn't do him in, as did my female viejita to her mate.

I do understand that sometimes a young pair would take a few spawns before getting it right, so there's still some days to go before any free swimming frys can be seen, if any. Well, at least I'm one spawn closer to getting some frys, I guess.

Thanks for sharing Mike!

Cheers,

Kenny

 

[Neil]

Kenny Poh,

Congratulations! There is very few apisto females that can be smaller than borellii when they are able to spawn successfully. I have had dinky females with babies. The smaller species also breed at a smaller than average size (ie, diplotaenia, trifasciata, etc.).
Sexual dimorphism and sexual maturity, however, are 2 different elements. It relates to age and species more than just the size. Each species are different. Some are hard to tell their gender after they have been spawning. And there are a few (ie, Balzfleck) that have reverse dimorphism.

Neil