apisto ortmanni

[pcrawford1044]

have several apisto. ortmannis in my endlers livebearer tank . does anybody have any info on them for me ? how to sex ect. ?

 

[Mike Wise]

It depends on which "A. ortmanni" that you have. The true A. ortmanni is actually quite rare in the hobby. Most fish under this name are A. steindachneri. You can easily tell the species apart by looking for a dark blotch that rests above the lateral band in the middle of the body. If it has this 'flank patch', then you have A. steindachneri. Let us know which species you have first - and how large they are. Then we can explain how to sex them.

 

[pcrawford1044]

apistos

yes they have the dark spot my biggest ones are 1.5 or so im guessing they are males because they have long pointed fins. can you give me any other info on them ? thank you

 

[Mike Wise]

Your fish are Apistogramma steindachneri. This species has also been in the hobby under names like A. ortmanni (mis-ID), A. wickleri (junior sysnonym), and A. ornatipinnis (1 of several species discussed under this name).

A. steindachneri is a wonderful species. The males can grow to almost 10 cm/4" total length. Males get a blue sheen to the flanks. The extended tips of the ventral, dorsal & caudal (2) fins become bright orange-red. It is a relatively easy species to breed: neutral moderately hard water is OK. With softer, slightly acid (pH 6.2-6.8) water, older females can produce well over 100 fry in a spawn; reports of 200 fry are not uncommon!

 

[pcrawford1044]

apistos

wow thanks mike i might have to many in my 29 then , i thought they may only get 2 inches or less i have like 8 in a 29 with some endlers livebearers