Laetacara Thayeri

[Jeffery Doty]

Hello Everybody,

I am growing out 8 L. Thayeri, and I was wondering if anyone has kept them? If so, how do you suggest I best arrainge the tank to suit them. Also, are they sexable?

Thank you for the help.

Jeff
Oregon

 

[Neil]

Jeff,
Until they get big, they are next to impossible to sex. And even then there is only slight differences in the fins.
Arrange the tank with fairly good cover (plants) and use a fine substrate. You could put a cave or two in there for security and possible spawning surface, but they are substrate spawners and the on time that I fooled with them, they layed in a pit. But you should probably also offer them a surface to spawn on, like a small piece of slate or something so they have a choice.
They are nice little fish. Good luck with them.
Neil

 

[Jeffery Doty]

Thank you Neil. I will follow your suggestions and see what happens. I must admit, these guys are sure cute at 1-2 inches!

Jeff
Oregon

 

[Randall]

Dear Jeff,

Neil hit the nail right on the head, when he wrote that L. thayeri "are next to impossible to sex." But starting at about 2" in total length, a hint of sexual dimorphism does become apparent.

1) Males grow larger than females.
2) The unpaired fins of the male grow longer and more pointed than those of the female. The female's tend to be more round at the ends, while a full grown male's will have filamentous extensions.
3) Males tend to exhibit more of a wine red color in the belly, while females tend more to a brownish color.

Hope this helps you out some.

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[Jeffery Doty]

Randall,

Thanks! Yes, that helps a whole bunch. I have gone from having no ideas on how to sex them, to having some indicators that will help make an educated guess. Of course, if they just spawn, that would help a lot!

One question, do both parents care for the fry?

These guys are very subdued in their coloration right now, but I am watching daily to see any changes. They are certainly hardy, in a grow out tank with angels and Nannacara they compete for food like litte guided missels.


Thanks again.

Jeff
Oregon

 

[Randall]

L. theyeri

Dear Jeff,

Yes, L. thayeri, like the other Laetacara species, are biparental, open substrate spawners. Simply have some secluded areas in the tank with a suitable flat surface (like a flat rock situated above the substrate level, somewhat), perform frequent partial water changes, and eventually you'll have fry.

Please remember that thayeri grow to be fairly large--males 4-5 inches and females 3-4 inches--so they may still have some growing to do before they achieve sexual maturity.

Thanks for reading.

All the best,

Randall Kohn