Laetacara sp. 'purple gold' or buckelkopf

[_BaDgUy_]

I've researched the subject a little on the forum, and it seems both are the same.

Does anyone have any experience with these fish? Specifically, sexing them, and their stressed out coloration.

I got some today that were labelled Laetacara buckelkopf. I've searched on the net, and mine seem odd. Probably stressed out! They are pale coloured, with golden blotches on the sides. I've seen the pic taken by Ghazanfar Ghori, and mine are nowhere close to that coloration!!

Any help from anyone?

Thanks,
David

 

[Randall]

Laetacara buckelkopf

Dear David,

Please be patient with your new beauties. They will need some time to settle in and get used to their new surroudings before coloring up. Please feed them well and give them a chance.

With Laetacara sp., sexual dimorphism isn't very apparent until maturity. Males tend to grow larger, be more higher backed, have more of a forehead and have more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Females tend to be more elongate, have a more elongate head profile and have more rounded dorsal and anal fins.

Good luck with them!

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

That sounds like how mine are when in non spawning coloration.
Spawning coloration is quite different.
Here's another picture I took last week....
They spawn every 3 weeks and pose for the camera.

http://www.aquaticscape.com/gallery/laetacaragood.jpg

BTW - the fish above is a male. Note the pointed tip of the dorsal.

 

[_BaDgUy_]

Thanks for the picture Ghazanfar!!

I've bought another fish at an auction 2 weeks ago. Now have three, but all seem juveniles, but starting to mature.

I've noticed one of the fish is developing a pointed dorsal fin, and seems to have some blue/purple coloration at times. I seem to have a trio for now, 1 male 2 females, based on the dorsal fin.

Thanks,
David

 

[_BaDgUy_]

Well, it seems I have a couple that paired up!!!
There is about 200 eggs on top of an Anubia leaf!!!
Hope they really are a couple, male and female!

Thanks everyone for your help!

David

 

[apistodave]

you also have the pointy fin thing with these, here are some pics of a pair of dorsiger (the German purple face,gold CF) these might confuse, they look nothing like the other pics Ghazanfar has here:
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/May/20035168701660164447983.jpg

Purple-gold are the German CF of Latacara dorsigera. Latacara bukelkopf are different fish entirely, the name means hump head or back and the larger males do get a bucal hump, another one is Latacara sp "Orange Fin"