Please ID Me!

[Crazygar]

Ok, "resuced" this little guy from a possible terrible fate in a tank of larger Cichlids. How he survived (2 weeks from what I was told) I will never know but here he is;

I think he is an A.agassizi but a few things are lacking for this id. Then again, I'm a rank amateur when it comes to Apistogramma but learning!

Gary

 

[Mike Wise]

It's a good looking young male A. gibbiceps. Good luck with finding a female.

 

[Crazygar]

Yeah, my online research last night confirmed this as well. It seems that there is little information on this fish.

I would like to know its overall behaviour (I think its a more "rowdy") traits. I have ordered a "Eheim 2206 Aquaball" in which I will be injecting Co2 into the diffuser and placing some "Peat Granules" in the "Filter Attachement" to lower the pH a bit.

What I need is to find a female now. Taking the lack of information on the Internet, this might be a quest indeed.

If anyone knows of ANYONE with available female A.gibbiceps, please email me or send me a PM here!

Thanks,
Gary

 

[Crazygar]

I think I have a "SNEAKER MALE" in which exhibits all the markings of Female but truly Male. Here is a pic;

I reason I think its Female as there is a black spot in the somewhat mid center of the fish when it gets stressed. Also, this looks like my Male gibbiceps but without the colouration.

Do all Females look "YELLOW" even if not in breeding colours? There was one A.gibbiceps at this store (tiny thing) with a ROUND TAIL, I need help in ID'ing without the breeding colours.

Gary

 

[Mike Wise]

Female Apistos vary in color for beige to orange. They yellow color, ususally seen in females guarding fry, doesn't always occur. Some stay a beige color, other a golden orange. The 'sneaker male' is a male. It has a double tipped caudal fin. Females of A. gibbicep, besided being visibly smaller,have a round or squared off caudal fin.

 

[Crazygar]

Figured as much. Looks like I will have to "order" a female (or 2 when I revamp my 19GAL) to eliminate my silliness.

Its so hard to tell with the lights as the LFS. There was 1 with "Rounded" fins (both dorsal and Tail) at the store with a spot as well. I do not want to risk purchasing another female. Thanks Mike. Whom, would have such "Apistos" for sale here in Internet world?

ApistoDave's website obviously is a no go as I've already checked.

Gary

 

[Mike Wise]

Below Water in Montreal is the most likely place, but the minimum order will put you off. Rio Negro fish are becoming harder to get in the US.

 

[Crazygar]

Yeah, Below Water usually wants you to order a minimum of 20 or so fish before they even consider selling. And it also is a drag that they will not let you "off the street" sort of speak, purchase either.

I have a little "trip" to Montreal this June to attend. Oh well, maybe someone on this Forum will have or know of, someone with "A.gibbicep" Female.

Thanks again Mike,
Gary

 

[A_gibbiceps]

A. gibbiceps of course!
About 8 years ago, they were the first Apisto species I ever kept. I was able to come across 1 A. gibbiceps in a group of A. uaupesi that I purchased late last year. And recently, I came across 4 more gibbiceps in a six pack of assorted Apistos but 2 quickly died. So right now, I've got one male and two that are too small to determine their exact sex. The gibbiceps males I originally had displayed a very unique characteristic that my present male doesn't display. There was an unfused gap between the membranes of the 4th and 5th spines of the dorsal fin that gave the males an almost "mohawk" look. And they we're breeding true, on some of the males the gap was as low as touching their backs. Truly, an awesome sight when they were displaying their full finnage. If anyone has seen these fish, I'd surely like to about them.
Crazygar, sorry I don't have a female to offer you right now.
Anthony

 

[Crazygar]

I'll work on a pic of both "Shark" and "Elton". "Elton" seems to have darker and "different' markings that "Shark".

"Shark" was my first Apisto rescue. "Elton" was my second. "Shark" is definately the dominant Male in the tank. If "Elton" would give me a break, I have another tank (19GAL) all prepared for him. Unfortunately, he is bullied quite frequently by "Shark" but remains quite well fed (I drop food in his "corner") when "Shark" is occupied with his food.

Thanks, if you do run across Females, email me please! I wish to give a crack at breeding this wonderful fish. I find these more interesting than the "man made colour morph Apisto" that are available. I prefer more "natural" looking fish.

Gary