Dicrossus help/advice/answers please

[Jasonmc89]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been keeping Dicrossus filamentosus for around 8 months now and a lot has happened! I lost my big male this morning, which has prompted me to make this post.

I’ve observed some very interesting and odd behaviour over the months. I’m just wondering if anyone can help me understand them more as a species. I’ll list off everything interesting that I’ve observed and hope to get a bit of a discussion going!

So I started off with 5 juveniles, roughly 1 inch in size. Within a few weeks I could clearly see there was 2 males and 3 females. One male grew fast and developed really nice fins! The other male stayed at one inch but still developed full male colouration! It was like a mini copy of the big male - 1/3 its size. The big male used to really bully him hard and after about a month I found him dead one day.

The one big male and the 3 females lived happily for months. Lots of mating displays and lots of eggs. 3 females developed red pectoral fins. I had eggs from all 3 females. I didn’t get any fry because I have a load of tetras in there. But all 4 were healthy and eating well.

Around 3 months ago from now I noticed one of the females showing male colouring! Over the course of a few weeks she/he transitioned into a full blown male and started duelling with the big male.

Around 1 ago from now I noticed the other 2 females were also turning into males! They are about half was transitioned at this point.

So now all 3 females, that have produced eggs are now male and displaying to one another.

The original big male had been hiding a lot over the last week, breathing heavier than normal and not really eating as much. While the first female to change to male a few months ago now seems to be the boss.

This morning I found the original big male dead.

Tank is 200L, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite all 0 - I have lots of plants. Ph around 7. 20% water change once or twice a week using RO/tap at 30/1. Food is a mix of high quality frozen and dry foods. Temp is 27c.


Has anyone else had a similar experience keeping these?

Cheers

 

[KenL]

I’m sure I’ve read reports in the past of these fish “changing” sex.

 

[Jasonmc89]

I’m sure I’ve read reports in the past of these fish “changing” sex.

I’ve certainly observed it!

 

[KenL]

changing sex?

is it true that dicrossus filamentosa can change sex???? how true is it?? can somebody verify this!!!!! hehehehe!! thanks... im curiuos and asso worry cos both my filamentosa looks like female except that their size are different! afraid dun have male to breed!

apistogramma.com

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

But all 4 were healthy and eating well.

This morning I found the original big male dead

I've kept Dicrossus spp. a few times, and I've never managed to keep the adults alive for very long.

They are fine when they are growing out, but I think they need very careful feeding when they are adult. I haven't got a large enough tank at the moment, but if I go back to (trying) to keep them I'm going to feed them <"a crustacean based diet">.

cheers Darrel

 

[Mazan]

I am sure I have seen rather vague reports before suggesting that they may change sex, but this is a good well-documented example. Interesting!

 

[anewbie]

I am sure I have seen rather vague reports before suggesting that they may change sex, but this is a good well-documented example. Interesting!

I wouldn't consider it well documented unless the female lays eggs and then demonstrate successful ability to fertilize eggs at a later date.

 

[Mazan]

Well yes, you are correct of course, but the females did lay eggs and then, at least apparently, became males. It would be interesting to follow through and check that they can then fertilize eggs. But it would not be too surprising, this is already well known in Crenicara.