Laetacara Curvicep/Dorsigera

[77railer]

Hey gang,
I picked up 2 fish couple weeks ago that the LFS had labeled as laetacara curvicep. Im not sure if that is actually correct when looking at pics online they look like they may be laetacara dorsigera. Can anyone tell from the pics I took? Thanks for the help...77Railer

 

[oldschool]

Looks like dorsiger to me. Take a better picture with the dorsal fin opened up and we can know for sure but looks like dorsiger it to me. Good luck thats a great fish. Be ready for lots of tanks I bought a group a while back and they are fry producing machines. Mine have been having massive spawns. Enjoy them a great looking fish. Mine looke dlike your until they began breeding when they are in their full breeding dress thay are just stunning.

 

[madzarembski]

I thinks its a dorsigera. My understanding is that the Dark stripe extends across the length of the body in Curvicpes where in dorsigerea it ends about mid body by the blotch with vertical striping across the rear half.

Enjoy the fish either way
madzarembski

 

[77railer]

Here is a pic of dorsal fin hope it helps

 

[77railer]

Can anyone tell from the dorsal fin wether this is curvicep or dorsigera? I appreciate the help.

77Railer

 

[oldschool]

You have Laetacara dorsigerus, gorgeous fish. They have been popping up in petshops and they have been coming in as curviceps. Good luck with your fish they are just gorgeous in full breeding dress. They are very prolific and very aggressive when bvreeding so when they get to breeding be careful with any tetras or other little fish you have in their tank as mine killed off a tank full of neons when they began breeding. Good luck

 

[77railer]

Thank you, I have noticed that they tend to hang out behind their cave(claypot) under some java moss. They are skittish fish. Only coming out if I am very still or feeding them. Is this normal behavior for this species. How big do they have to be before they breed, and is their a way to sex them?

Thanks for your reply

77Railer

 

[oldschool]

Mine were very skittish when I first brought them in their new tank as well. Over the years I have found that if I provide a cover of floating plants and lots of java moss (cover) etc they will become allot less skittish. Keep in mind these guys are at the lower end of the food chain and they need to stay near cover in order to survive! Providing them adequate cover will give them a sense of security and they will come out into the open. I have also found tetras and other schools of small peaceful fish will help them as well, I do not like that option as much as these will prey on the fry when they breed. Not to mention the dorsigerus will kill them, as happened in my case. This in a 65 gallon tank mind you, these was plenty of space.

I received mine at about the same size as yours and they were breeding in about two months. I would say they need to be about 2"-3" to breed. As far as sexing I still cannot sex mine I just wait for a pair to pair up and then remove them to a breeding tank. Maybe someone else could help us both out on that one. Good luck with your pretty fish. They don't look like much now but just wait till they get in breeding dress; they are drop dead gorgeous fish. Enjoy...

 

[77railer]

Thanks for the reply. Knowing my luck I have two of the same sex. LOL