A. 'breitbinden' TR

[Ekona]

Just got these two fish from Drayden as WS. (Thanks, D!)

Obvious male - ~3.0cm

What about this fish - smaller at under 2.5cm. Small undeveloped male or female?

 

[MickeM]

Awesome fish + pics !!

My guess on pic 2-4 :
The yellow color in combination with the short dorsal spines (1-6) + short pelvic fins indicates that it might be a female..
, and "she" also differ from the male in the red(dorsal) + yellow(body) colors + a more abrupt ending of the dorsal fin..
And the caudal fin show no visable divided coloration like on the male .. (transparent/yellow)
If it is a female, she sure is more colorful than any similar female I´ve seen before.. (gills + dorsal fin)

Please take some more pics of these fish... they will probably be absolutely stunning !!!

 

[Ekona]

Awesome fish + pics !!

My guess on pic 2-4 :
The yellow color in combination with the short dorsal spines (1-6) + short pelvic fins indicates that it might be a female..
, and "she" also differ from the male in the red(dorsal) + yellow(body) colors + a more abrupt ending of the dorsal fin..
And the caudal fin show no visable divided coloration like on the male .. (transparent/yellow)
If it is a female, she sure is more colorful than any similar female I´ve seen before.. (gills + dorsal fin)

Thanks, Micke. Your observations are exactly the way I see it ,as well, yet since I've not kept this species before, I just was not sure. Even though the "female" is smaller than the male (but not drastically so) I would be surprised if it would develop all of the characteristics of the larger male from what is shows now. I'll definitely let them grow out and post more photos.

 

[ButtNekkid]

Hi,

What kind of substrate is that?

 

[Ekona]

Fine particles of decayed organic plant matter chosen for their rich content of tannins.

 

[Ekona]

Looks like this is a definite pair judging by the finnage and behavior. Male continuously displays courtship (not aggression) toward the smaller fish. Here a couple of sub-par photos of the male. Looks like A. megaptera or possibly young A. piarora. Any opinions on which one based on fins?

 

[Ekona]

Here's a video of this same male displaying.

 

[Ekona]

 

[Ekona]

Does this look like a M/F A. megaptera?

 

[Ekona]

Got a few photos of this pair (almost 100% certain now).
Pair with male in display

Pair at rest

Female in full display with extended dorsal fin rays.

Female showing extended dorsal fin rays

Female showing overlapping dorsal fin rays (at rest)

 

[Ekona]

Pair in courtship display. Notice the male's fins are not fully extended but rather folded downward during his shimmy-shake dance. Female showing brood-care behavior and coloration. I expect fry any day now.

 

[Ekona]

This settles it - definitely a female

 

[Ekona]