Is this a steelblue???

[ste12000]

Hi all, i asumed the apisto's in my tank were Borelli i bought them as such and had no reason to believe otherwise. However i have spoken to microman who obviously knows his stuff and he informs me that they are infact Steelblues and are a hybrid created in Singapore!
Does anyone else know anymore interesting facts about these as i like to know as much as possible about the species i keep. Thanks.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tWJ7m4Hp37Q

 

[jose_vogel]

Yes, it´s a "steel blue".

The easiest method for distinguish the two species is in the tail fin. A. borellii have a caudal without spot pattern. A. sp. "steel blue" have a pattern of spots on that fin.

 

[ste12000]

Thanks for that. Well even though they are not the Borelli i first thought i had bought, they are proving very easy to keep and breed, i currently have 80 fry from these that are growing on in my fishroom and another 4 females in my discus tank that are struggling to protect their young. Due to a lack of space i cannot syphon any of these out so they will eventually be eaten.
Shame, but thats how it will be until i can afford to extend the fishroom. My Corydoras sterbai will not stop breeding and i am growing on hundreds of small cats...They might just help pay for the planned expansion...

 

[jose_vogel]

Ste12000,

Can you post a link to some pics of the females?

Thanks in advance

 

[ste12000]

Yes of course i can.. Here it is

Male

Female

 

[jose_vogel]

Thanks a lot, a very good photo, very detailed