Wild Congochromis dimidiatus?

[Ekona]

This one pair came in as C. sabinae, which I would have been happy to have, but as it turns out, they look a whole lot more like C. dimidiatus. ID opinions welcomed.

If, in fact, that is what they are, I guess I'll just have to make do with them.

I will do my best to spawn them.

Female ~ 3.5 to 4cm

Male ~ 4.5cm

 

[aquaticclarity]

Are there any silver scales near the vent on the female?

 

[Ekona]

Are there any silver scales near the vent on the female?

I do not see any silver scales near the vent on the female.

 

[Ekona]

This female was looking ripe...

So I removed the glass separation from the tank and the pair began a wonderful display dance...what a neat species

 

[aquaticclarity]

No silver scales=N. dimidiatus, at least as we understand the fish to be right now! I think several species get grouped together to make that species though. Or at the least there are several distinct populations. Depends if you are a lumper or a splitter I guess.

 

[Ekona]

No silver scales=N. dimidiatus, at least as we understand the fish to be right now! I think several species get grouped together to make that species though. Or at the least there are several distinct populations. Depends if you are a lumper or a splitter I guess.

Actually it would be C. (Congochromis) dimidiatus (as it currently stands) depending on if you are a lumper or a splitter...
See Mike's post: http://www.apistogramma.com/forum/threads/new-dwarf-cichlid-genus-congochromis.6570/

Looks like Congochromis is comprised of 5 species -
C. dimidiatus. C. robustus, C. sabinae, C. squamiceps and C. pugnatus.
There are links to the descriptions of both C. pugnatus and C. robustus on the internet, but I cannot find any photos of live specimens of either species - I wonder if they have ever been kept in the hobby?

I have seen live C. squamiceps about 15-20 years ago (but never since), C. sabinae about 10 years ago, and this is the first time I've seen live C. dimidiatus. There are several reports of successful breeding of C. dimidiatus and sabinae, but they don't appear to be well established in the hobby.

Anybody currently keeping/breeding any Congochromis species at this time? Please chime in!

 

[aquaticclarity]

Yes, Congochromis now... Force of habit yet!

 

[Ekona]

Yes, Congochromis now... Force of habit yet!

...and I forgot to say thanks for the tip on the silver scales - good diagnostic feature.

 

[Richgrenfell]

I had some called sp. leza some years ago. 2002 I think. Looked kind of like yours. I wonder if i still have the pics....?

 

[Richgrenfell]

 

[Ekona]

Thanks for photos - they look similar. I've heard of C. sp. Leza, but I have not seen what the distinguishing features are between that form and others. Did you breed them?

 

[Richgrenfell]

Sure did.....spread them all over the place via aquabid.

 

[Ekona]

After wondering if the pair was ever going to spawn and fearing the female might burst if she got any fatter, raising the temp to ~77F and doing a 25% water change with tannin-rich, softer water did the trick!

Just prior to spawning

Just after spawning in the 'apisto-hut' behind her.

 

[Richgrenfell]

Very nice!! Where on the East Coast are you?

 

[Ekona]

Delaware.

 

[Ekona]

Female C. dimidiatus in brood care coloration.

 

[Ekona]

9 days after spawning, the female has brought out her first brood of free-swimming fry.

And now I am officially maxed out on F1 fry from three rather rare and nice dwarf cichlids. Hopefully I can distribute some to interested aquarists via trade or sell.

 

[themountain]

I would love to get some of that little ones, but Peru is too far away I am afraid :/
Anyway, astonishing how the coloration changes in brood care to something like Apisto yellow

 

[Ekona]

This pair is making excellent parents sharing amicably in brood care. The fry are taking newly hatched brine shrimp on day 2 free-swimming.

 

[Pisces 56]

What stunning fish. I just love them.