- Messages
- 81
Is it just me? Or is this species: Apistogramma baenschi, known to have rotten M/F ratios???
While the beautiful allure of these particular males are one of the first species to capture my attention and get me interested in keeping Apistogrammas in the first place; I'm about ready to give them all away.
I mail-ordered in a group of four pairs last spring. Only two males survived the shipping ordeal. A week later I was down to one male. I did get him to spawn w/ two females and raise about twenty fry. (Female battles and stealing fry left me w/ only twenty, the clutches were larger.) I grew them out for months, patiently waiting and hoping I'd have several of my own healthier males. I spent hours and days studying fins for a hint of the majestic orange tail circle and super long dorsal lappets. NO! Eight months later I had to sadly concede, I had all girls!!! (Boo-Hoo!!!!!)
Not to be outdone by some silly little 3" fish; I ponied-up and ordered a new batch. Unfortunately, since they were smaller than the breeder could sex out, I was 'gifted' with a new batch of 12 juvies. And again studying fins everyday . . . . . . . and worrying more. I'm pretty certain of these 12 fish, I've got 11 females. . . maybe 12!!!! Six weeks ago when I received the fish they were approx 3/4". Most of these juvies are now just a tad over 1".
What size do these need to be before I give up any hope of a male emerging and I just throw in the towel? I see a lot of the strong yellow striped body, none more whitish. I see 11 showing the black ventral fins. Only one yet has clear - but not orange - ventrals. None show any color on the caudal fins. Can I be so cursed that these too are all females?
Anyone have tips on how to spot a potential male? I'm about ready to cry. Or go purchase an Oscar just to feed these fish to!! @!!#$@!
What gives? Do these fish HATE me???
While the beautiful allure of these particular males are one of the first species to capture my attention and get me interested in keeping Apistogrammas in the first place; I'm about ready to give them all away.
I mail-ordered in a group of four pairs last spring. Only two males survived the shipping ordeal. A week later I was down to one male. I did get him to spawn w/ two females and raise about twenty fry. (Female battles and stealing fry left me w/ only twenty, the clutches were larger.) I grew them out for months, patiently waiting and hoping I'd have several of my own healthier males. I spent hours and days studying fins for a hint of the majestic orange tail circle and super long dorsal lappets. NO! Eight months later I had to sadly concede, I had all girls!!! (Boo-Hoo!!!!!)
Not to be outdone by some silly little 3" fish; I ponied-up and ordered a new batch. Unfortunately, since they were smaller than the breeder could sex out, I was 'gifted' with a new batch of 12 juvies. And again studying fins everyday . . . . . . . and worrying more. I'm pretty certain of these 12 fish, I've got 11 females. . . maybe 12!!!! Six weeks ago when I received the fish they were approx 3/4". Most of these juvies are now just a tad over 1".
What size do these need to be before I give up any hope of a male emerging and I just throw in the towel? I see a lot of the strong yellow striped body, none more whitish. I see 11 showing the black ventral fins. Only one yet has clear - but not orange - ventrals. None show any color on the caudal fins. Can I be so cursed that these too are all females?
Anyone have tips on how to spot a potential male? I'm about ready to cry. Or go purchase an Oscar just to feed these fish to!! @!!#$@!
What gives? Do these fish HATE me???