Aphyoplatys duboisi and....

[stormhawk]

Brought these back after visiting a fellow killiekeeper from Malaysia:





Aphyoplatys duboisi, in the flesh. They're very cute little fish and behave much like clown killies, Pseudepiplatys annulatus.

Not forgetting, another gem of an SAA:





Terranatos dolichopterus Isla Raton RDB 92-22

Seeing this species again after several years since Ron lost his all-male group was priceless. Not forgetting the other species I saw when I was at his fish room.

[SirBest]

What other species did you acquire besides the above mentioned?

[stormhawk]

Only these two and Aphyosemion australe Orange juveniles for Ron.

[SirBest]

Only these two and Aphyosemion australe Orange juveniles for Ron.

I was expecting more, perhaps.

[stormhawk]

Meeting me and my gf's expectations was the main objective of my trip up north. I am glad to bring these back in good shape after so many years of them missing from our shores. Besides, the Terranatos are already spawning. There are 2 upcoming killie shows in Europe:

SKLIK (Slavic nations) - 8-10 June 2012, Odessa, Ukraine
BKV (Belgium - Dutch speaking) - 9-10 June 2012 - Broechem, Ranst, Belgium (near Antwerp)

If you were expecting more, feel free to go for the shows and bring back some fish.

[Shi Xuan]

Nice Aphyoplatys duboisi and Terranatos dolichopterus. Any updates on them?

[stormhawk]

Late reply, but the Terranatos have passed on. I managed to collect a bag of eggs but only time will tell if they were fertile. The duboisi are spawning but quite slowly. Most of the eggs fungused so it might be a problem either with the water or the male's fertility. Either way, they are laying eggs. I should be wetting my bag of Notho eggs I brought back from the trip this weekend.

[Wackytpt]

Where you went during the weekend?

[stormhawk]

I meant I was going to wet the bag of Notho eggs this weekend.

[RonWill]

Late reply, but the Terranatos have passed on. I managed to collect a bag of eggs but only time will tell if they were fertile

Drats... it's not easy to lay hands on DOL, let alone a pair!! Sometimes I count my blessings to NOT have so many tanks!! *looks around... oh nevermind!!*

BTW, don't wet the DOL's eggs prematurely. These d@mned buggers really need up to 6 months to incubate and develop properly.

FYI, the Aphyoplatys duboisi pair is still around. Female hides most of the time and maybe that's why I thought she konked. No fry yet... not like I can spot them in that jungle

[Shi Xuan]

Hi Ron,

P.S I read about this species somewhere in a Japanese blog so just take my words as a pinch of salt if you wish...& here it goes...

All you need;
-A small tub/container (around 3L-5L), those that you used to keep/breed the Pseudoepiplatys annulatus
-Lots of peat fibre
-Lots of Java moss (Like what you described, a jungle??)

Preparation;
-Add 1-2 ramshorn snails & a pair of Aphyoplatys duboisi into the container. (An aged/well-established container would be preferable since it has a lot of micro-organisms as food for the tiny fry.)
-The breeding pair is basically fed frozen bloodworms daily and baby brine shrimps once in a while. 20% water changes is done weekly. They are left in the container for a month before being separated for conditioning.
-Fry should be seen in the container after 2-3 weeks (perhaps earlier in our hot climate)

Generally, from what I read, I believe their eggs are just as sensitive as the ANN you once bred. They don't need a big tank to spawn and their fry are about the same size as ANN. Not a very prolific fish either. It seems that the 1st month immediately after hatching is a critical period for fry survival, so they have to be closely monitored.

Regards,
Shi Xuan

Oh & please update on these 2 species. I think the information can be useful, especially Aphyoplatys duboisi.

[RonWill]

Just when I thought I've been feeding an empty tank again, I spotted a small group, about 6 1.5cm Aphyoplatys duboisi juvenile and 3 2mm fry, all hiding in a forest of moss. The adults (can't remember whether a pair or trio) are, surprisingly, still alive leh...

[RonWill]

As for the Terranatos dolichopterus, and if one look hard enough, they might find a pair or two of these under unker's care. Price-wise, if you have to ask, it's probably an arm and a leg... or both...

[Shi Xuan]

Just when I thought I've been feeding an empty tank again, I spotted a small group, about 6 1.5cm Aphyoplatys duboisi juvenile and 3 2mm fry, all hiding in a forest of moss. The adults (can't remember whether a pair or trio) are, surprisingly, still alive leh...

Now, that's a good news. I shall wait patiently for the day I've some swim in my tanks.

[Shi Xuan]

As for the Terranatos dolichopterus, and if one look hard enough, they might find a pair or two of these under unker's care. Price-wise, if you have to ask, it's probably an arm and a leg... or both...

Nothing about the Terranatos right now. Waiting for Pterolebias phasianus eggs to eye up... is taking forever... but I'm ready to raise killies with tiny fry. Tonnes of micro food right now but I have very few tiny mouths to feed.

[Draka]

Just when I thought I've been feeding an empty tank again, I spotted a small group, about 6 1.5cm Aphyoplatys duboisi juvenile and 3 2mm fry, all hiding in a forest of moss. The adults (can't remember whether a pair or trio) are, surprisingly, still alive leh...

Haha jungles seem to be a low-maintenance way of getting a few surviving fry huh.
Would be a good idea if certain *ahem* aquatic worms can be placed in since when they divide into new worms, the new worms are really quite small...

[Shi Xuan]

Whatever Ron does, is somewhat the same as how he managed to spawn the Pseudepiplatys annulatus.
I've seen the Aphyoplatys duboisi myself. Tiny killie but the color is brilliant. This should be a neat fish to work with.

[Draka]

Haha just googled. They do look brilliant ^^

EDIT: Silly me. Of course they look brilliant! They're the topic of this thread! Omg my coffee has worn off at this time of the night... I didn't even realise I was looking at the same fishes

[stormhawk]

As usual, my duboisi pair are spawning like clockwork, but eggs stay fertile for 2 days or so then kaput. Might be due to the little white worms running about in the tank. I intend to move my adult pair to a separate tank with just a peat bottom and nothing much else. Much like how the original breeder kept them. He left them in a typical plastic tank with just some peat on the bottom and very little aeration. No snails by the way.

The Terranatos I brought back from my latest trip to another location are now with Ronnie. Young but ready to go boom boom. Let's see the end result in half a year's time or so.

I might go to Penang again later next year so maybe.. I might be able to bring back some other species. No promises though.

[RonWill]

As usual, my duboisi pair are spawning like clockwork, but eggs stay fertile for 2 days or so then kaput

Your tanks' feng shui no good lah... but if you're suspicious about those little worms, do something about it.

Much like how the original breeder kept them. He left them in a typical plastic tank with just some peat on the bottom and very little aeration. No snails by the way

Sounds simple enough. I do things differently, of course! ... but no plants as well???

My home tanks are more neglected than those at work and I've pretty much decided to leave the Terranatos with my favorite unker, where they will receive better care, regular meals and water changes.

GC unker will condition both pairs and attempt spawning them, fish gods willing. One pair will be for sale but buyers will be vetted... no beginners (to fishkeeping), please, as a young-adult pair still command a princely sum. Experienced breeders, however, are more than welcomed to have a go at these very understated gems.