Flaring Behavior of Apistogramma bitaeniata

[dbcyeo]

Hi,

I used to collect different variants of the Apistogramma bitaeniata family for awhile. One of the key thing that I noticed on some of the variants such as 'tefe' and 'mamor'e is that it's colors differ depending on whether it's flaring against competition (in this case a mirror) or when it's trying to mate with a female.

Anyone has any similar observation or any comments on how this can happen?

As I have also been taking photography tips from Benny, I find it even more interesting if flash and lights play a role in bringing out the colors in the fishes. Fine example was the Panduro picture Benny posted.

Attached are picture of the same fish taken with similar settings on the camera. However, one was taken while it was flaring against the female while the other against a mirror. Just to illustrate my observation.

Discussion and views are welcomed.

[benny]

Desmond,

A very interesting observation indeed. So obviously, the subject will change it's color that it display, depending on whether it's against the "competitor" or "lover".

From the above, a preliminary conclusion is that red is for aggression and against the mirror or live competition. Blue is a more relax coloration that it exhibit around the tank.

Other comments, views?

Cheers,

[benetay]

My views on this will be similar to that of yours.

yes i agree that during the mating season, the male will flare but unlike flaring against an opponent..

It's more of a relax flaring trying to entice the female. Thus not much colouration. I've read in one of the books last time and i can remember some parts mentioning that for the full colours to really comes out it takes 13 whole seconds for the colours to get out to their body.

Really nice pics! excellant!

Colours depend on speciments, for eg. a blue caca will not flare red when they're against a mirror...

Yorky once told me that there are 4 different colour zones of A.mendezi.
Yellow,
blue,
forgot,
clear.

For eg:The yellow varient actually flares a good deal of red so a dull looking yellow mendezi can flare a nice red for you.

The clear and unseen part are where the colours stands out...from my observation.

Thats why they say, mating colours and flaring colours are totally different. There are some females who turns to a brighter colouration when the fries are free swimming. It only happens in a few species i think....for eg: A.eliz.

[dbcyeo]

So besides the Bitaeniata family, the Elizabethae and Mendezi species also have similar coloration behavior for flaring? Any other species that also have similar habits?

Anyone knows what actually causes these changes in coloration?

This is a picture of the above fishing in the "loading" stage....within the 13 secs Bene mentioned. Notice that the dorsal fin is already getting reddish, while the pectoral and anal fins are still displaying bluish tint.

[ranmasatome]

Is the colour dependent on what colour the opponent showing??

For example, say opponent flares blue.. will it flare blue as well?? Or if opponent flares red, will it try to outdo the opponent and flare even more red?

[benny]

Is the colour dependent on what colour the opponent showing??

For example, say opponent flares blue.. will it flare blue as well?? Or if opponent flares red, will it try to outdo the opponent and flare even more red?

Hmm.. well although now we know the fish has the capability to change color at will, I don't think they do change color the way you describe. We probably need more time to observe the subjects to get a better idea.

The problem is, not too many fishes available on the market and most of our tanks are full.

Cheers,

[mervin]

only thing i can contribute......if anyone don't want these fishes, give me a call !!!!

[sheng]

hahaha, many will be waiting too

[celticfish]

though i'm not very experienced in these fishes i do notice your observation of the difference in flaring againts another male and a female.

the male seems to tilt their heads downward when flaring to a female. finnage is not in full spread.

with another male the head is oriented slightly above or higher to the horizontal. finnage also opens fully.

[dbcyeo]

hi celtic,

My observations are slightly different from yours. I find that most apistos still flare to the maximum even when to trying to impress the female. It's just that I noted that some bits have a tendency to change colors for the finnage.

The tefe is the only bit I have that has exhibited this behavior. The rest of the bits (purutu and mamuri) that I use to own just show a more intense coloration from the normal mating flaring.

[celticfish]

dbcyeo,

you are right about the full flare.
i just have been observing them at them wrong timings!
will check out the colour change thingywhen i dare to put two male together.
i'm still consolidating from my renovation moves...
moving stuff for 2x4', 2x3', 2x2' and a host of small tanks is not fun at...
all

[Rupert]

Do these fish see in colour or in some other part of the spectrum?

[blueblue]

it is an interesting discussion and observation ;
my own finding is: During display, many apistos' blood
vessels on the fins will be expanded and they will become
red... this is why we have blue bita suddenly becomes red
on display. When a male bita displays its fins in front of a mirror
or a female bita, depending on its mood and message that it
wants to pass, the colour could vary...

For photos, lighting certainly plays a role and we could
all find the wonderful photos which are contributed in part by
an appropriate lighting setting...