Name that mouthbrooder!

[Richgrenfell]

Was very pleased to have these guys start breeding! Not the best pics, but great fish none the less!

 

[hapaluku]

I think it is A Kelleri or A Barlowi....but it`s just my guess

 

[Mike Wise]

I think it is A Kelleri or A Barlowi....but it`s just my guess

Well that about covers every mouthbrooding species (There is a report that A. gibbiceps sometimes mouthbroods, too). I suggest that you look at the female's caudal fin. If the oval or squared off then it is A. barlowi. A. sp. Kelleri females develop two short tips, top & bottom, on a squared off caudal.

 

[Richgrenfell]

Sold to me as kelleri. Mike just to clarify....if the females caudal is oval OR square? I bred barlowi, but that was years ago before they were even described.

 

[Mike Wise]

Rich, the caudal of A. balowi females are usually oval (like A. atahualpa) but can become square on older specimens. Females of A. sp. Kelleri are square and have 2 short tips, top and bottom.

Still haven't seen any A. nijsseni around.

 

[Richgrenfell]

Thanks very much. I'll get a good look (and perhaps a pic) of her caudal this evening. If you are able to get some wild nijsseni into the country I'd be most grateful! If not i do appreciate your thinking of me while you are there!

 

[Richgrenfell]

Alrighty folks! With the description mike gave, I definately have kelleri! Momma relesed the fry, and I am pleased to say that there are at least 20. Not bad for a mouthbrooding species, especially for the first spawn. I am taking notes and will likely write an article on my experiences. The megaptera, are doing nothing at all......!

 

[Richgrenfell]

Update: Mom and fry are doing well. I have a group of 8 and have identified two more pair, and 2 extra males that are astounding! The pair have sectioned off the left one third of a 55 gallon tank. The other fish keep their distance and all is well. At some point I will move the pair and fry to their own tank to see if I can get spawns from the others.