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Wild Congochromis dimidiatus?

Ekona

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
453
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;):cool:.

I will do my best to spawn them.

Female ~ 3.5 to 4cm
LFlE78.jpg


To1UDJ.jpg


WxretK.jpg


Male ~ 4.5cm
Ug2pmd.jpg


erEIun.jpg
 

Ekona

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
453
This female was looking ripe...
1cNUcD.jpg


So I removed the glass separation from the tank and the pair began a wonderful display dance...what a neat species :cool:
5bp65l.jpg


BqPLzY.jpg


IQwUz7.jpg


JQOEs5.jpg
 

aquaticclarity

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
1,809
Location
Richfield, WI
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

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
453
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!
 

Ekona

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
453
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?
 

Ekona

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
453
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
sFuE6j.jpg


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

Ekona

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
453
9 days after spawning, the female has brought out her first brood of free-swimming fry.
aLClDY.jpg


i2BaPi.jpg

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

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
172
Location
Mallorca/Spain
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 :)
 

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