Looking for Agassizi female (NJ USA)

[ScottieB]

Hello all. I was gifted what I was told was a m/f pair of Apisto Bitaeniata but turned out to be 2 males of this fish - which I have been told from asking around is an Agassizi Blue Tefe male. This one started attacking the other and now I've just got the one.

I'd like to find a female for him to breed with. I know that ideally it would be another Blue Tefe - but those seem hard to find and at this point I just want to find any fish that could work. The only place I've found so far is Aquatic Arts - which I know to be a good shop but they also want $50 plus $45 shipping for 1 female, and it's a "German Blue Redtail" not a blue tefe. If that's my only option, though, I guess I'll take it.

Can anyone help? Thanks.

 

[Apistoguy52]

Interesting fish, I’d be selective about a female for him…he looks to be somewhere along the lines of cf. agassizii nets/netz or BBCS. Would be interesting to see what Mike or Frank have to say.

 

[Frank Hättich]

Interesting fish, I’d be selective about a female for him…he looks to be somewhere along the lines of cf. agassizii nets/netz or BBCS. Would be interesting to see what Mike or Frank have to say.

It doesn't look like Netz or BBCS to me.
Since the op mentioned the name "blue Tefe" it might be A. cf. agassizii (Rio Tefe) or it's a domestic strain with that name. In the latter case, it's likely already a mix of different species subsumed under the name "agassizii".

 

[Mike Wise]

Like Frank wrote.

 

[ScottieB]

Thanks for the info all.

So what does this mean for me? Should I be looking for something specific? Or no? Does anyone know any sources other than Aquatic Arts for solo females?

 

[Frank Hättich]

Thanks for the info all.

So what does this mean for me? Should I be looking for something specific?

For what do you want to look specifically? That your male is an "Agassizii blue Tefe" is just a guess by some people you have asked. It is impossible to tell this for sure from the looks of your fish - it's just one of many equally probable possibilities. And even if it would be certain that it is the wild form known as A. cf. agassizii (Rio Tefe), I guess the chances to source a matching female will be rather low. So if you don't want to produce hybrids, don't breed with this male. Otherwise just buy some random "agassizii" female.

 

[ScottieB]

Right I understand that we are not even certain what this fish is.

Years ago I had some experience breeding apistogramma cacatuoides just as a hobby - I gave them to a LFS (that is no longer there).

I enjoyed that so when I was given the new "pair" I kind of got attached to the idea of them breeding -- so I'm just looking to find a fish that could work. But to be honest I don't really have a plan for them should it be successful. It's just a hobby. So - I don't know if producing hybrids is frowned upon or whatever (I don't intend to sell them), I'm just looking to see if I can get him to breed and don't know where to find a suitable fish.

Thanks

 

[MacZ]

So - I don't know if producing hybrids is frowned upon or whatever

It is for the most part very much frowned upon.

I don't intend to sell them)

Nevertheless you'd have to rehome them at one point.

 

[ScottieB]

Understood. Thanks.