Apistogramma sp. "Steel Blue"

[Jonathan Aquari]

HEY,

Yesterday i bought an Apistogramma sp. "Steel Blue" for $8.99!!!!! Why? They thought it was Apistogramma Borelii. hahhahahahahhahah, I was going to tell them the fish was worth more, but......... I wanted the fish:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:: biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggr in::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::tongue::tongue::ton gue::tongue::tongue::tongue::tongue::tongue::tongu e::tongue:

So far it has bin doing well, I drip acclimated him (I know it's a him). heres a vid.
[video=youtube;pg1-qDKhpF8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg1-qDKhpF8&feature=g-upl[/video]

also, since the breed is most likely a hybrid between many fish like borelii, can i buy a female borellii and se if they breed for me???

thanks,
J.A.

 

[Mike Wise]

No one is positive that this form is actually a hybrid. It is just as possible that it is a color enhanced - or even wild - form of some apisto species. The Japanese apistophiles believed it was a cross between one of the caetei- and a resticulosa-complex species. According to Römer, the European breeders crossed the original imports (from SE Asia) into Europe - all males - with females of "A. caetei" (we don't know which form was used). Therefore, European strains probably are hybrids. Whether hybrids or a pure species, A. borellii genes are not part of its make-up. A. borellii and regani-group species are sufficiently different that I doubt that they will reproduce for you. I suggest that you find a Steel-blue female. They are more common now than when the form was first introduced. Otherwise, try a caetei-complex species.

 

[Jonathan Aquari]

thanks, just in case i can't find any females, do you know where i could find A.caetei. I live in MD but i'd order online if i have to

 

[Mike Wise]

A. caetei - and most apistos from eastern Brazil - are rare commercial imports anymore. Jeff at Aquaticlarity ordered some earlier this year, but sadly they came in very "rough" and didn't survive.