dwarf cichlids

[lgb]

In looking at fish for my new tank, assuming I ever get the stand
finished, I ran across "MacMaster's Dwarf Cichlid", or apistogramma
macmasteri.

According to the references, it's polygamous, relatively peaceful, and
grows to about 2-3". Baensch specifically suggests this species with
characins (tetras?) just to watch the male's territorial display during
spawning.

Looking at images on the web, there is considerable color variation in
the males. From somewhat drab to all bright red fins.

Anyone on this group keep these? I'd like to hear your
experiences/opinion if so.

--
BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever

[NetMax]

"lgb" > wrote in message
...
> In looking at fish for my new tank, assuming I ever get the stand
> finished, I ran across "MacMaster's Dwarf Cichlid", or apistogramma
> macmasteri.
>
> According to the references, it's polygamous, relatively peaceful, and
> grows to about 2-3". Baensch specifically suggests this species with
> characins (tetras?) just to watch the male's territorial display during
> spawning.

Have you found them in a store or with a supplier yet? They might be
difficult to procure, available from on-line suppliers only.

> Looking at images on the web, there is considerable color variation in
> the males. From somewhat drab to all bright red fins.

From my limited experience with cacatoides (which appear similar), there
seems to be local colour variants depending on where along the river they
were caught. Often they are named after the closest town or village.
Once they have been line bred, then they take on color descriptions like
red, double orange etc.

> Anyone on this group keep these? I'd like to hear your
> experiences/opinion if so.

Lots of experience here:
http://www.thekrib.com/Apisto/

Their territorial aggressiveness varies (I found cacatoides worse than
nijsseni who were worst than agassizi etc), but they were otherwise quite
similar. They should be kept in harems 1M + 2 or 3F, or 2M + 4 or 5F in
a larger tank. hth

> --
> BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever

.... what does that mean?

--
www.NetMax.tk

[Jim Anderson]

In article >,
says...

> Looking at images on the web, there is considerable color variation in
> the males. From somewhat drab to all bright red fins.
>
>

From what I read, they are some what grab in color until they are ready
to mate, then they color-up to attract a mate. After mating they are
drab again.

--
Jim Anderson
( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

[steve]

I haven't done this exact specie but I have had success with
Apistogramma Borellii. Here's some pics and a brief write up.

http://www.geocities.com/erviservy/Borellii_Breeding.html

steve

lgb wrote:
> In looking at fish for my new tank, assuming I ever get the stand
> finished, I ran across "MacMaster's Dwarf Cichlid", or apistogramma
> macmasteri.
>
> According to the references, it's polygamous, relatively peaceful, and
> grows to about 2-3". Baensch specifically suggests this species with
> characins (tetras?) just to watch the male's territorial display during
> spawning.
>
> Looking at images on the web, there is considerable color variation in
> the males. From somewhat drab to all bright red fins.
>
> Anyone on this group keep these? I'd like to hear your
> experiences/opinion if so.
>
> --
> BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever