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Apistogramma sp "steelblue" female

merlin

Member
5 Year Member
Messages
210
Location
Dundee,Scotland
My fem has become very attached to her little cave. Chasing off the tetras but still dancing to the male when he comes near. The short video below shows this behaviour. My question is this, is she defending her cave because she has spawned or is she prepared to spawn but as yet the male is not interested.

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leafish

New Member
Messages
22
I have no idea but that's a cool video! So only the male steel blues have the blue coloring?
 

merlin

Member
5 Year Member
Messages
210
Location
Dundee,Scotland
Thanks Leafish, its amazing what can be done with a phone these days. My male is only just colouring up he is probably still too young for breeding but he is beginning to look good.
 

raymond82

Member
Messages
345
Location
Amsterdam
Very nice video indeed! I really like how she build a little dam in front of the entrance to the cave. For what it's worth (I have little experience): the one time I saw this kind of behavior I ended up with around 20 fry.
 

Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
I agree with Raymond and Darrel. That berm in front of the cave entrance almost always means that there are eggs/larvae in there. Her color & behavior also point in that direction.
 

triplecrown333

New Member
Messages
14
Location
hong kong
same behaviour seen from my female mac last week and this sunday i had fry:), the parents protect the fry in the community tank better than some parents i read about in the news, what a joy to watch...
 

merlin

Member
5 Year Member
Messages
210
Location
Dundee,Scotland
My female emerged today with a good number of fry(40-50) perhaps. Both adults guarding them well. Considering how young this pair is I am a bit surprised and a bit behind time with my worm cultures etc. Photos to follow

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merlin

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5 Year Member
Messages
210
Location
Dundee,Scotland
An early photo of the newly emerged fry. The female is approx 1inch.

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merlin

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5 Year Member
Messages
210
Location
Dundee,Scotland
Watched both adults being protective of the fry this morning, got home tonight she has killed the male. Should I have removed him immeadiately and left the female with the fry.

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Mike Wise

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Staff member
5 Year Member
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11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Sorry to hear this. Removing the male depends on a lot of things. After breeding the male has no real function in a breeding tank. If you can remove him without disturbing the female, then I would try. I usually don't remove the male, but then my tanks are well enough decorated and large enough that he has a place to escape. How large is your tank?
 

merlin

Member
5 Year Member
Messages
210
Location
Dundee,Scotland
Hi Mike.
I suspect my tanks are a bit small. 18*12*12 and 18*18*12 I got these because 20 years ago thats what I used but I should have checked all these things against todays thoughts. I am now away to build a rack for 2 off 36*18*12 with removable partitions for growing on fry and for males when necessary.


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Mike Wise

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Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
In a tank as small as Merlin's, I would immediately remove the male. I have some 18x14x8" (45x35x20cm) tanks that I use for certain, more mellow species, but not for a species as aggressive as Steel-blue. I find it strange how aggressive Steel-blue are. Most regani-group species tend to be more 'laid back'.
 

merlin

Member
5 Year Member
Messages
210
Location
Dundee,Scotland
Hi Mike.
What other species would you remove the male from routinely. My name is Derek for those who would like to know.

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Mike Wise

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5 Year Member
Messages
11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Derek, in a tank your size it would be easier to recommend species in which I would not remove the male: pertensis- and iniridae-group species (after a pair forms), A. wapisana, steindachneri-group species (with dither fish), resticulosa-complex species. Other than these, I would be very careful and keep an eye out for aggression. Actually, keep an eye out for aggression is a good idea for any species.
 

merlin

Member
5 Year Member
Messages
210
Location
Dundee,Scotland
Thanks Mike
It is amazing how the bullying changes during the period. First off the male is doing all the chasing and the femsle doesnt get a minute but as soon as she has a spawn then the male can be killed by the female. Good advice I will remove all until my tanks grow.

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