Aphyo elberti Baffousam

[whuntley]

I think this is a new species (strain) in this forum, no?

I picked up a pair at the BAKA meeting, last week. I think they came via Thuan Nguyen, who bought them at the ARK Cook Out the week before, in Arizona.

I'm awaiting an answer from Monty Lehmann as to the "coolth" they may require. I'll probably try to send some eggs or young your way, if they are a warm-water variety.

Anyone on this forum providing information I could use about them, I'll be very grateful. I'm not an elberti expert, and can use any guidance you may wish to provide.

My soft water is inducing me to abandon many of the annuals and semi-annuals I have kept before, and switching to the softer-water species I could not keep, easily, in the south bay area.

All my fish will be stressed in a few weeks as I move into my new home. The new digs will provide a lot better environment for them. I wrote a description of it in the Chill Out forum, but the post never got there, AFAIK. The water, there, may be even softer than my 85 ppm local well.

I guess I'll go "Chill" and try again.

Wright

PS. Ronnie, I picked up about 20 nice, young B. brigittae at the BAKA meeting. I have pygmy Rasboras coming out my ears, now!

[RonWill]

Hi Wright,
This is the first reference to the Baffousam population and regardless of Monty's feedback, do try to spawn them. I'm sure there are people here, willing to raise their youngs.

Your new place looks inviting, with room for way more tanks and good luck with the pygmies!!

[whuntley]

Monty just sent me the following info on them:

Monty R. lehmann wrote:
> Hi Wright,
>
> Baffousam is one of the blue/green bodied Kathetys from
> the highlands. Temp 68 to 74F. Ph no more than 7.2, lower
> is better to 6.7 or so. Calcium hardness of no more than 60 ppm.
>
> The name is correct.
>
> 30 ppm is what I use, but you must be vigilant about not
> overfeeding and water changes, as you are correct, there
> is no buffering in the water. Most rain forest fish love
> this soft water.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Monty
>

I guess that means they would be "chiller only" in your climate, so less appropriate than the Ntuis. In my climate, our low humidity could mean a Henri filter is about all that is needed to keep them cool enough. [Our relative humidity runs about 10-15%. Evaporation rate from uncovered tanks is awesome!]

Wright

[retro_gk]

I kept the form from Mbet for a while and had no problems with them at a pH of 7, 0 GH and KH of ~100 ppm. They stopped laying once the temperature hit 24C. A friend who has the pair now says they produce 2-3 eggs daily at ~20C, similar water parameters.