Pairing Apistogramma borellii 'standard' and 'opal'

[flori]

Hi, I can't find a satisfactory answer to this seemingly obvious question: can males and females of A. borellii's two variants be kept together and bred? Everything I read so far says: yes.

So my question is really: should it be done and is there any downsides?

 

[A Timbers Fan]

Yes, but you will end up with ugly fish. You can mix every color of Crayon together, but the result will be a brown blob!

Pick one you like and keep it. Or pick only males of both variants. This is my opinion.

 

[Mike Wise]

Actually what is now sold as 'Opal' are the offspring of more colorful males in wild populations. By crossing the 2 you will get something closer to what is seen in the wild - mostly fish without red streaks on the face and some that do.

 

[flori]

Thanks to both of you