Apistogramma something or the other..........

[Richgrenfell]

Macmasteri family I think? Whatever they are, they should be spawning soon! I need to get some more female ones though. This one is the best I have right now.

 

[Mike Wise]

Looks like it might be A. sp. Schwarzkehl/Black-throat. Does the female show a stripe running down the throat?

 

[Richgrenfell]

Hi Mike, no stripe on the throat.

 

[Mike Wise]

Rich, the shape of the caudal spot and the dark lower lip sure remind me of A. sp. Schwarzkehl. What were the sold as?

 

[Richgrenfell]

Aggies! LOL!!

 

[Richgrenfell]

Looks like you are right Mike. I swear the coloration was not there when last I looked. I was trying to get some better pics earlier, and saw this. Not the best pics. These 2 females are getting into the breeding mood, so maybe that's why I didn't see it before, as the other females still don't have it. Is this a breeding dress thing Mike?

 

[Mike Wise]

Breeding females will be the same yellow color as macmasteri females, brighter yellow than the female in your photo. The black throat becomes darker and extends almost to the lower lip when brooding fry.

 

[Richgrenfell]

Breeding females will be the same yellow color as macmasteri females, brighter yellow than the female in your photo. The black throat becomes darker and extends almost to the lower lip when brooding fry.

Very cool, and thanks for the input. So we are sure that is what I have? They are staking out territories, so some rich food, and a few water changes ( I am using rain water) should do the trick!

 

[Ekona]

Neat fish!

See: http://www.zbbf.de/forum/showpost.php?p=76363&postcount=16
for photos of this species, especially the female.

 

[Richgrenfell]

Thanks for the link. There are some nice ones here as well: http://apisto.sites.no/fish.aspx?fishIndexID=2328&gruppeID=1

 

[Mike Wise]

I'm not 100% sure. I've seen too few photos and not seen the female in brood dress. Now, I could be more certain if you sent me the fish ....

 

[Richgrenfell]

LOL, Jeff already hit me up for a pair. I can certainly send you some fry when I get them. And you know me.....there will be fry!

 

[Richgrenfell]

Well folks, we have a spawn. This young lady is defending this cave with quite a bit of viciousness! Mike, are these 3 photos good enough? I know you are going to say you need a side view. I'll keep trying but when she is out of the cave completely, she is chasing fish away!

 

[Mike Wise]

Looks like the Schwarzkehl females I had back in the 1980s.

 

[Richgrenfell]

Well, I'm gonna go ahead and call em' Schwarzkehl's then. I took a peek today. No fungused eggs, and it looks to be about 30 or so. I have the BBS bubbling!

 

[Livebearer Lady]

Well? did you get a brood yet. I want some too!!!

 

[Richgrenfell]

Well? did you get a brood yet. I want some too!!!

Yep, I have about 40 or so fry. Going to pull a paie and get them in a tank by themselves.