IN USA they are frequently available now for around $30 and price dropping as they breed easily. Here is a pointer to a couple of places that have them for sale:Lovely fish. Wish they were more available.
www.wetspottropicalfish.com
aquaticclarity.com
I have a pair coming from Moonlight but have the same concern regarding fresh blood. I hope to find some new ones as well. Sadly, F3 is not ideal.IN USA they are frequently available now for around $30 and price dropping as they breed easily. Here is a pointer to a couple of places that have them for sale:
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Ivanacara bimaculata - Tropical Freshwater Fish For Sale Online
Ivanacara bimaculata | Healthy, happy, quality tropical freshwater aquarium fish for sale online! Flat rate shipping and quick order turn around. Largest selection of rare and common fish in stock since 1999.www.wetspottropicalfish.com
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Ivanacara Bimaculata
Ivanacara Bimaculata, a South American dwarf cichlid from Guyana, is a rare and unique addition to any aquarium. Ivanacara Bimaculata is a black water fish that has adapted close to neutral water parameter making it a hardy and resilient species. Compared to Ivanacara Adoketa, these fish are...moonlightaquatics.com
In Stock Fish List | Aquaticclarity
aquaticclarity.com
There are a few other places - i think they have dropped about 60% the past year. The sad thing is all the fishes come from the same group imported a few (4?) years ago so as far as i know no fresh blood.
Each pair is kept in its own tank now, so there's no risk of the females fightingAs far as i can tell they form strong bonds (not sure if it is for life); though oddly enough the odd male out is not harmed - but will be sometime chased away. At least that was my experience. However the two females can have deadly confrontation in a small aquarium.
The most recently imported specimens of I. bimaculata were brought in by hobbyist/collectors. The species occurs so far from commercial collecting locations that it is not economical for commercial collectors to collect them. So unless other hobbyists go and collect new specimens it is unlikely that we will get 'new blood'.I have a pair coming from Moonlight but have the same concern regarding fresh blood. I hope to find some new ones as well. Sadly, F3 is not ideal.
Too bad...I contacted another seller from a different state but he hasn't replied as to his source, oh well...The most recently imported specimens of I. bimaculata were brought in by hobbyist/collectors. The species occurs so far from commercial collecting locations that it is not economical for commercial collectors to collect them. So unless other hobbyists go and collect new specimens it is unlikely that we will get 'new blood'.
Kind of pointless - someone on these forums know the details around the collector and i believe only 2 small batches were collected - on the bright side it was in the past decade so they are not quite as inbred as some of the other rarely collected fishes. I also believe (perhaps incorrectly) that i read that site was endangered.Too bad...I contacted another seller from a different state but he hasn't replied as to his source, oh well...
Isn't an F3 generation getting into serious inbred characteristics such as deformities, lack of immunity and other traits? Input is welcome...I am not an expert on geneticsKind of pointless - someone on these forums know the details around the collector and i believe only 2 small batches were collected - on the bright side it was in the past decade so they are not quite as inbred as some of the other rarely collected fishes. I also believe (perhaps incorrectly) that i read that site was endangered.
No, it is only a problem if the breeder doesn't cull specimens that are not up to par.Isn't an F3 generation getting into serious inbred characteristics such as deformities, lack of immunity and other traits? Input is welcome...I am not an expert on genetics.
I believe he does. Looking forward to receiving my pair and will report back. I loved the days when I was breeding Discus and Angels but it took a lot of space (tanks) and time.No, it is only a problem if the breeder doesn't cull specimens that are not up to par.
Speaking of Curviceps (yes, I know this is an Apisto Forum) but, a vendor is offering 2" Curviceps for sale but do not offer sexual choice. Well, 2" fish are close to maturity and should be showing sexual differences.I believe he does. Looking forward to receiving my pair and will report back. I loved the days when I was breeding Discus and Angels but it took a lot of space (tanks) and time.
Now, I want smaller cichlids with parenting skills. These ones plus Curviceps should be fun.
Also enjoying my Cockatoo cichlid pair...
Will do on both of the heads up, thanks!Be aware that most sellers in USA who are selling domestic curviceps are actually selling dorsigera so if you want real curviceps be sure to examine pictures closely.
Also if you want to talk about a laetacara species you should start a new thread in dwarf cicihld section.
Possibly too late???I could never get my ladislao to spawn - would be curious what triggers it - i have 1 pair at 76 ec 30 and another group (1 male 5 females) at 79 ec 35. Both sets are around 2 years old now.
Your collection sounds great.The 3rd pair ended up eating the wrigglers on the day they hatched. Fast forward a week and the 1st pair has laid eggs again. Wonder how many tries they will take to be successful. So far only the 4th pair hasn't spawned yet.
In other news, I have fry from my Apistogramma rositae pair, and a few other pairs of apistogramma are showing promise (elizabethae, ladislao and uaupesi). The ladislao female has been bright yellow for weeks but no eggs laid yet. My Crenicichla regani "Tapajos" pair suddenly killed a crystal red tetra that they've been cohabiting with peacefully for months, and the female hides a lot in a cave, only coming out to eat. I wonder if there are eggs in the cave and they killed the tetra guarding them?