apistogramma cf. luelingi cristal possible deformity??

[Kampo]

I have been growing out 10 apistogramma cf. luelingi cristal I got at a couple club auctions. they were all fry from a Pair I beleave Mike Wise brought to my club meeting back in june or july of 06 (GVAC). I talked to a few others about this but thought I would get some more input. I'm guessing Ventral fins are NOT supposed to look like this?

that is one of the bigger males, but the entire group of 10 all have similar issues.

 

[bbetta]

His fins definitely look abnormal to me...


Billy

 

[Mike Wise]

Here are photos of a pair of wild fish I brought back from Peru in 2012 (w/black-spot syndrome):

If your fish is a male (I don't see a black lueling-like caudal patch), then the ventrals are definitely too short.

 

[Kampo]

T

Here are photos of a pair of wild fish I brought back from Peru in 2012 (w/black-spot syndrome):

View attachment 6674

If your fish is a male (I don't see a black lueling-like caudal patch), then the ventrals are definitely too short.

Thanks Mike, yeah its defiantly a male, the fins all match male shape. looks like for some odd reason all these fish have the funky deformity then. debating what I should do with the group was really excited to have a new fish to work with and share my extras with other clubmates, kinda had a feeling something has been wrong for a few months but just hoped it was something that would correct itself.

is this a genetic issue? or something environmental possibly to where if I bred them there offspring could be fine?

 

[Mike Wise]

I'd guess it more an environmental issue. Your fish can't be more than F4 or F5 from wild fish. I find it unlikely that such a genetic change could appear so quickly - and seen in all of the spawn. I haven't seen it in any of my spawns. My guess it is a water quality problem similar to that seen in angelfish fry grown in crowded conditions with insufficient water changes.

 

[Kampo]

ok thanks mike. thats what i'm kinda thinking as well. not sure if its something I did or the person who oiringally grew them out. i've grown out many rams and apistos with no issues so not sure why these guys who were much more babied than my normal fry growouts would have the issue.