New tank - 108L

[Frank Hättich]

With that said, it seems to bem A227 to me. The caudal fin does not show blue at all.

The breeder said to me that this is a F1 pair. So they can't be hybrids, right?

I'm also starting to think that they are two males instead a pair...

F1 can be hybrids because most exporters will not keep the two forms/species apart (as in many other closely related species too). However, in your male I don't see anything that points towards this. It look like a typical A227. About the sex of the smaller fish I can't say much based merely on seeing it's head. However, it seems to show some kind of dark coloration around the lips which could be a first sign of the typical purple coloration shown only by males...

 

[Gaisller]

F1 can be hybrids because most exporters will not keep the two forms/species apart (as in many other closely related species too). However, in your male I don't see anything that points towards this. It look like a typical A227. About the sex of the smaller fish I can't say much based merely on seeing it's head. However, it seems to show some kind of dark coloration around the lips which could be a first sign of the typical purple coloration shown only by males...

I'll take some more photos of the lesser one today. I also asked the breeder if it's possible that he sent me two males by mistake.

Thank you very much Frank.

 

[Gaisller]

Updates.

I received the pencil fishs. They are Nannostomus trifasciatus.

Here's another picture of the lesser Apistogramma:

The fins looks right to me, they are very smaller than the male's fins. What concerns me is the dark spot on the mouth. I believe that only males develop it, right? So what do you think? Can it be a younger male? Is it really a female?

Below some pictures of the male. He's becoming more colorful and less shy. Really beautiful fish.

 

[MacZ]

I received the pencil fishs. They are Nannostomus trifasciatus.

Lovely species! Not available here, otherwise I'd have gotten some aswell.

Can't say anything about your Apistogramma, though.

 

[Frank Hättich]

Updates.

What concerns me is the dark spot on the mouth. I believe that only males develop it, right? So what do you think? Can it be a younger male? Is it really a female?

Imo the smaller one is a male too. In the first of the new photos of it you can already see a purple edge around the lips which will shortly develop into a larger area as in the bigger male.

 

[Gaisller]

That was my fear...

I contacted the breeder and he said that will send me one female as soon as possible. But I'll have to keep this male. My only option is pass him to the bigger tank and hope the dicrossus does not care about it. The other tank is 1,4m long and I keep 4 dicrossus (3f 1m)... What do you think?

 

[Frank Hättich]

Should be no problem in a tank of that size.

 

[MacZ]

My only option is pass him to the bigger tank and hope the dicrossus does not care about it. The other tank is 1,4m long and I keep 4 dicrossus (3f 1m)... What do you think?

Worst thing that can happen is the Apistogramma becoming aggressive towards the Dicrossus. They should be passive towards the Apistogramma, though. At least the females. The Male, though... If the colouration of the Apistogramma is too close to the pinstripe of an aggressive Dicrossus, this might go wrong.

But my gut tells me this should work out.

 

[anewbie]

Very nice looking fish.

 

[Gaisller]

Female just arrive.

She’s a bit shy but I here’s one pic:

Male is awesome!

I’ll try to sell the other male in the meantime.

Thanks for the help!

 

[MacZ]

Worst thing that can happen is the Apistogramma becoming aggressive towards the Dicrossus. They should be passive towards the Apistogramma, though. At least the females. The Male, though... If the colouration of the Apistogramma is too close to the pinstripe of an aggressive Dicrossus, this might go wrong.

But my gut tells me this should work out.

In any case, PLEASE report back on how this worked out or not. I'm really interested in the compatability of different dwarf cichlid genera in the aquarium. My hypotheis is that Dicrossus and Mikrogeophagus may actually be compatible with Apistogramma, provided the numbers and tank dimensions fit the bill.

 

[Gaisller]

In any case, PLEASE report back on how this worked out or not. I'm really interested in the compatability of different dwarf cichlid genera in the aquarium. My hypotheis is that Dicrossus and Mikrogeophagus may actually be compatible with Apistogramma, provided the numbers and tank dimensions fit the bill.

Sure, no problem!

Today I'll rehome the smaller male. I keep you updated.

 

[Gaisller]

Hey guys, question: A. sp. Abacaxis needs caves to spawn? The female is super aggressive protecting the left side of the tank, I don't know if it's a breeding behavior...

Thanks in advance.

A few pictures to uptade.

Female:

Male:

Nannostomus trifasciatus and Macrobrachium jelskii:

I don't rehome the second male yet. My girlfriend is finishing her 60 liter tank and it will be the new home of the little guy. It's with one male betta at the moment, but it should get out soon. Here's one pic of the tank:

 

[MacZ]

. sp. Abacaxis needs caves to spawn?

All Apistogramma are cave spawners. If there are none, they'll take the most appealing spot.

The female is super aggressive protecting the left side of the tank, I don't know if it's a breeding behavior...

Yeah, she's in wasp-mode. Either has spawned already or getting ready.

 

[Mike Wise]

By "cave" do you mean a hard structure with an opening? If so, no they don't need a cave. In the wild most apistos live in areas where there are no caves in this sense. Most breed below a pile of leaf litter or submerged wood. From your photos you have an abundance of spawning sites.

 

[Gaisller]

So… I know it’s strange but for how long can a female of apistogramma desapear? I haven’t see mine for more than a day. I looked in the floor near the tank and didn’t find it. Searched over the tank I and didn’t see it too. All the other fishes are fine and healthy.

Any tips?

 

[MacZ]

3-4 days is what I have experienced. Usually I'd look more throroughly after day 5 and after day 6 I'd start taking the tank apart.

 

[rasmusW]

So… I know it’s strange but for how long can a female of apistogramma desapear? I haven’t see mine for more than a day. I looked in the floor near the tank and didn’t find it. Searched over the tank I and didn’t see it too. All the other fishes are fine and healthy.

Any tips?

With her coloration, one could only hope she has found a good hidingspot for her eggs. Or prepping one.
Crossing fingers its that atleast.

-r

 

[Gaisller]

She returns!

After long three days, I saw the female again. Not gonna lie, I was hoping for the worst.

PLEASE report back on how this worked out or not

Mac, the male is in it temporary home (the main tank). Didn't notice any kind of aggression between apistogramma and dicrossus.
The apistogramma defends its territory, but as soon as dicrossus gets away, there is no trouble. Dicrossus completely ignores the presence of the apistogramma when it leaves his cave.

 

[Gaisller]

A little update:

After sometime, the female is missing again. I saw her for the last time two days ago. Hope she's ok.

I also did a layout change, so the aquarium is with less driftwoods and branches now.

The male is increasingly colorful.

Some pictures below: