Apistos picky over mates

**Giant** · 30th Jan 2006, 10:53

Came across this article.

Am not at the level where I know enough to breed them, but what is a good ratio?

Apistogramma picky over mates
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u...m.php?news=785

"Most females went for the inconspicous wild-type males of A. cacatuoides, including both wild fish and captive-bred F1 and F2 fish produce from wild stocks. They didn't fancy the gaudy males of the domestic strains we see on sale in the shops here."

Er... so what is considered "gaudy"?

**benny** · 30th Jan 2006, 23:04

There is not such thing as a good ratio, unlike corydoras where a group of 6 with 2 females would be prefered. You can start with a pair of apistogramma and if you are lucky, a trio with 2 females.

Good link you provided.

Hmm.. according to Uwe Romer and Wolfgang Beisenherz..

According to a study by cichlid experts Uwe Romer and Wolfgang Beisenherz, which has just been published in the journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, female Apistogramma cacatuoides prefer wild type males over anything else........

They also chose to mate with members of their own species over closely related Apistogramma of other species, including A. juruensis, A. martini, A. panduro, or A. sp. "brustband".

Interesting information for breeders to be. So female cacatuoides can see that the "super red" types are not natural and possibily genetically weaker?

Anyway, some consider the selectively bred type to be gaudy, but because of it striking red coloration, it sells very well.

Personally, I quite like it and it's one of the first dwarf cichlids that I was attracted to when Benetay give me some a few years ago.

Cheers,

**mervin** · 31st Jan 2006, 21:48

put a pair today regardless if F1 or wild and they will spawn, that is if the water parameters is right.

**benny** · 31st Jan 2006, 22:03

Originally Posted by mervin

put a pair today regardless if F1 or wild and they will spawn, that is if the water parameters is right.

That's for sure Mervin.

The question here is if there is 1 female, 1 "super Red" male and 1 wild caught male, what will happen?

Cheers,

**benetay** · 1st Feb 2006, 20:32

Very nice caca! Yr caca dorsal looks much better then mine. I've asked my friend regarding selective breeding, it'll take a long long time before we can actually reach welham's standard.

Thumbs up for his caca.

Both the male will whack each other and the winner may spawn with the female but this could be tricky too. There is no control over the size etc, it's all very subjective.

IMO the female will choose the wild caught male. It knows it's better over the super red. Don't ask me how the fish know whos better. They have preference like us.

**mervin** · 2nd Feb 2006, 00:01

Originally Posted by benny

That's for sure Mervin.

The question here is if there is 1 female, 1 "super Red" male and 1 wild caught male, what will happen?

Cheers,

guess we will never know until one try.

**benny** · 2nd Feb 2006, 00:06

Originally Posted by mervin

guess we will never know until one try.

Uwe Romer and Wolfgang Beisenherz did and the results are in the article. In any case, I think a lot of the more serious hobbyists here prefer wild type or the non selectively bred type type. Natural beauty perhaps.

Cheers,

p.s. I'm looking for the amendments for the Cichlid Atlas Vol 1. Do you have it?

**mervin** · 2nd Feb 2006, 13:04

Originally Posted by benny

p.s. I'm looking for the amendments for the Cichlid Atlas Vol 1. Do you have it?

email and me sent to u.

**benetay** · 2nd Feb 2006, 18:33

I'm not until that standard, i'll just breed what i wan them to come out. if i wan super red of cos i put the super red...if i wan the wild one i'll put the wild one.

Cos' i've put wild caca and double red together before, they whack the moment they see each other, jaw lock until the wild one got seriously hurt and pass away later on.

**Wackytpt** · 2nd Feb 2006, 23:02

Originally Posted by benetay

I'm not until that standard, i'll just breed what i wan them to come out. if i wan super red of cos i put the super red...if i wan the wild one i'll put the wild one.

Cos' i've put wild caca and double red together before, they whack the moment they see each other, jaw lock until the wild one got seriously hurt and pass away later on.

What is brewing now for you? I awaiting good news from you in a few months time