The Krib
Apistogramma/Dwarf Cichlids
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The Krib
Apistogramma/Dwarf Cichlids
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Apistogramma tucuruiContents:
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Photos by Ken Laidlaw
Photos by Helen Burns
Photo by Erik Olson
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Jan,
This is a translation from Ingo Koslowski's paper Ostamazonische Apistogramma -
Aquaristische Neuheiten und Neuigkeiten, D.A.T.Z., 1994, v. 47 (12): 781-786:
The Rio Tocantins, which enters the Rio Pará west of Belém and which in turn
empties into the Atlantic south of (the Isla de) Marajó was greatly altered in
the 80s by the construction of a gigantic dam impoundment near Tucuruí. East of
this large impoundment Arthur Werner in 1987 found on the road between Jacundá
Nova and the dam a new Apistogramma species that is the most sensationally
exciting newcomer in this genus. There, it inhabits almost exclusively streams
with sandy bottoms that are largely devoid of vegetation. We are dealing with a
member of the A. regani-group that deviates from other known Apistogramma species
in its highly unusual markings. In addition to large numbers of very small black
spots on the opercula, males have longitudinal stripes originating in the head
region that extend over the entire length and height of the body. They are
formed by dark pigmentation between the individual horizontal rows of scales.
Other Apistogramma species usually only have abdominal stripes below a broad
body-long band that runs through the middle of the flanks. The Tucuruí
Apistogramma, in contrast, has as many as seven in the head area and up to nine
longitudinal stripes along the flanks, even above the rarely visible lateral
band. These are usually black, becoming wine red in aggressively displaying
fish. The golden yellow head and ventral region, along with the bluish to
turquoise color on the posterior part of the body as well as the anal and dorsal
fin, make the Tucuruí Apistogramma one of the most beautifully colored species in
the genus. Even the females exhibit the species diagnostic longitudinal bands,
but not as prominent nor as intense as those seen on the males. The lateral band
is usually more prominent on them, and during the period of brood care dissolves
into a row of spots. The lateral band is much more broad than in many other
eastern Amazonian species of the A. regani-group and is reminiscent in appearance
to that of the widely distributed Apistogramma eunotus of Peru, for example. The
caudal fin of the Tucuruí Apistogramma has already been discussed more than once
in the hobby literature (DATZ-Redaktion 1988, Linke & Staeck, 1992, Schaefer,
1994)
Breeding the Tucuruí Apistogramma is successful in slightly acid (pH 6.5) and
moderately hard water (10ºdGH). This as yet scientifically undescribed species
exhibits an inordinately great intraspecific aggressiveness. In a one meter
aquarium you can keep a maximum of one male together with two females. Although
breeding the Tucuruí Apistogramma was consistently successful, and the fish had
been distributed fairly widely among Apistogramma breeders, the species
apparently is again missing from the hobby. This is very unfortunate since their
natural habitat, presently known only from the area on the eastern side of the
Tucuruí impoundment, has in all likelihood been greatly altered and the existence
of these fish is possibly threatened by dam construction on the Rio Tucuruí. The
last female known to me, which I had kept, was an exceptionally poor brooder who,
even though she would spawn frequently and the eggs developed well, would eat
most of the larvae the moment they hatched. An oddity worth mentioning was a
female Tucuruí Apistogramma that I kept in an aquarium with some A. geisleri.
She spawned with a male of this species. The female even succeeded in raising a
few juveniles in the not very heavily decorated tank. Some dropped due to
deformed scales and fins. Other grew to a size which in many Apistogramma would
be sexually mature. Astonishingly it was only males that reached this size and
then they exhibited none of the markings of the Tucuruí Apistogramma - like the
species diagnostic longitudinal stripes. They closely resembled their paternal
A. geisleri.
Jan Busser wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I've written to you all that I was building a nursery for mainly apisto's
> and guess what: It's operational!!!
> So I bought some new species and found Apistogramma tucurui. The man I
> bought them from only had 4 of them (2 males and two females) an I bought
> them all.
IDMiamiBob-at-aol.com wrote: > Mike Wise writes (as a reprint from an article): > <snip>< Although > > breeding the Tucuruí Apistogramma was consistently successful, and the fish > had > > been distributed fairly widely among Apistogramma breeders, the species > > apparently is again missing from the hobby. This is very unfortunate since > their > > natural habitat, presently known only from the area on the eastern side of > the > > Tucuruí impoundment, has in all likelihood been greatly altered and the > existence > > of these fish is possibly threatened by dam construction on the Rio > Tucuruí.<snip>> > Jan- Sounds like this is an exceptionally qualified species for our > fledgeling Species Maintenance Program. Although the dam that destroyed their > habitat will in all likelyhood outlive us all, these fish should be considered > as significant to the hobby. They are very beautiful, and reportedly easy to > spawn. Please, PLEASE- as soon as you are getting successful spawns, let > Julio or myself know that you plan to keep them going for a while. I would > also be willing to pay shipping plus a price to get some from you when they > reach about 1/2 -3/4 inches (12-18 mm) in length, so we can get some going > here in the States. Espcially so if your Government makes keeping them > illegal. Getting them distributed as widely as possible should be a priority. > > Anyone else out there fortunate enough to have some of these beauties in their > tanks? Let me hear from you, please. I would like to track these guys and > see how they are doing. Dear Mike, Jan, and folks discussing on A.sp. "Tucurui": I've collected on Tucurui-area a couple of times, the last of them at past year. The commonest dwarf cichlid in the area of Tucurui is A. agassizii (a population that we call "golden line"); Nannacara taenia is also found in sympatry with the previous species. The so-called "Tucurui"-Apistogramma is not found on the dam itself, but near the town of Jacunda Nova (stated by German collectors and confirmed by myself) in opened swampy areas formed by overflow of streams (igarapes). Jacunda Nova is a town near the dam (the biggest city on the area is Tucurui). It seems to be very rare in nature, as despite of intensive collecting efforts of three people, we could only collect about 20 specimens of it. The biotope is at no way polluted, quite the opposite, it is in a farm area. Other fishes like tetras are commonest in the biotope. It's not very difficult to breed, and we are presently producing it in our Apisto farm. Only point is that they are not raising many fry per spawning, unlike other members of the A. regani-group. The water we're using is pH 6.5, similar to the water found on its biotope (pH 5.5-6.0); it's NOT a blackwater fish. Cheers, Marco. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto-at-majordomo.pobox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request-at-majordomo.pobox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!
Jan Busser wrote: > > Last week I asked some things about A.tucurui and did get some info back > (thanks for that). > I'm 99% sure it really is tucurui due to a pic i saw. > I bought 4 speciman (2 males, 2 females, it was all they had!) and placed > them in a 150cm tank with 4 juvenile P.altums. > One of the females is already yellow and according to her body she layd some > eggs (haven't found them yet). > In my oppinion: A big difference with other apisto's is their aggression. > Esspecially the males can't be kept together. My tank is 150 * 50 * 50 cm > (375 liters) and it's still too small. > The "father" also hunts down the other (not-yellow) female. Logical > conclusion: I'll split the two couples later this afternoon in order to try > and get spawn from 2 couples, especially since they seem extinct in nature > (read mike's and bob's reply). > With two seperate couples the spawning-chance is of course much bigger! > I'll keep you informed. > I also like to know something about the waterchemistry of there (disapeared) > natural habitat. > Jan Dear Jan, At first the natural biotope is not disapeared, see my previous e-mail. Water is tea-colored, with pH 5.5-6.0 (varied depending on the point of the swampy stream). An opened area, with Cyperaceae (aquatic plants Eleocharis-like) providing lot of shelter. Other fishes on biotope were some tetras. A. sp. "Tucurui" is not abundant on the biotope. Yes, I also have same experience that they're very agreessive towards themselves. Cheers, Marco. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto-at-majordomo.pobox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request-at-majordomo.pobox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!
> >From what I gathered from the article posted by Mike wise this fish was found > in open water that was either soft but very base, or hard but quite acidic (I > get confused easy- too much to remember). Is it possible the original article > is describing a different fish than the one Marco is collecting and breeding > in the swampy places? Or maybe they moved because of the dam? Several > Victorian Lake cichlids have changed biotopes and adapted in order to avoid > the predation of the Nile Perch which was introduced there. > > If they have had to find new "digs", this would explain the low fecundity, as > they are not really happy there in those particular water parameters. > > Not trying to start an nasty argument, just wanting to clear this up for my > ignorant self. > > Bob Dixon Dear Bob: the collecting point was told by me through a fisherman that collected there with Arthur Werner, which I guess was the first (or one of the first) to collect this species. The dam is not that close to the biotope, so it seems not to be disturbed by it. There are only farm activities in the region, and those activities may have perhaps altered the biotope, but I cannot assure it. Normally farm activities include cattle farming, and for that purposes forested areas are cut to produce open areas, a need for grass growing (food for the cattle). ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto-at-majordomo.pobox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request-at-majordomo.pobox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!
> Anyone bred A. sp tucurui? I did in the latter part of 97 that came from Germany. I had 4 that I picked up at a Killi Mega Auction. There were sold as 2 pair. No. I ended up with 3 males and one male! I separated the pairs into separate 10's. I noticed that in one tank, the dominate male was constantly 'going after' the other fish. I later lost this fish. In the other tank, the smaller one was harrassing the larger one and I later lost that one as well. I put the female with the other male with some live plants (I don't remember what species)and a clay pot lying on it's side. They spawned on the upper inside portion of the pot. My water was straight RO water, pH 7.2 and the temp was 74. The fry did hatch but I lost all of the fry. Don't go by my experience. You just asked if any one had bred them. I hope someday to retry them and many other Apistos when I have the space and time to donate to them. Good luck. Kaycy http://www.calweb.com/users/d/djhanson/index.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@majordomo.pobox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@majordomo.pobox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!
Mike & Diane Wise wrote: > > Mayalauren@aol.com wrote: > > > Anyone bred A. sp tucurui? > > Jason I've, in water pH 6.5 and 4dH, which is the water in our farm. With one pair per tank, eggs were removed as soon as seen, and artificially incubated with slow flow of water. Young not difficult to raise on brine shrimp, and beautiful pattern they have is best seen in adults, juveniles are not as nice.
>From what I've read, A. sp. Tucuruí doesn't need special water conditions. They just don't like other members of their own species near their territory, unless ready to breed. Also the females are not the best at protecting their broods. Helen's use of a tank with a lot of bottom surface is a good idea. Let us know how your broods do, Helen. Mike Wise Mike Jacobs wrote: > ...and indeed you should be proud Helen. I can't even find the fsh...I hear it's > a tough little bugger to get to spawn...you must be doing a bunch of things > right. > > Mike > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@majordomo.pobox.com. > For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, > email apisto-request@majordomo.pobox.com. > Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!
Vern wrote: >Has anyone heard of a new color form of tucurui?I have been hearing that >there is a new one they are calling red/blue.Is this just another selling >gimmick? I guess you can make an argument for the correctness of the red/blue tag. Males A. sp. "Tucurui" have some blue on the dorsal and anal fins and a series of parallel reddish-brown dots. However, in the absence of another color form I'll have to say that it's another selling gimmick. Helen then wrote: >I don't know about Tucurui but I hear someone is exporting Red Scalare >Angels, the mind boggles. Gary is right about the spotted scalares. This are common in the Rio Nanay, Peru. I've also read a report in one of the Aqualog News mentioning a scalare from the Rio Negro with red caudal fins and, to a lesser degree, red dorsal and anal fins. The author was John Dawes. I'd like to see this angel. Julio ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@majordomo.pobox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@majordomo.pobox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!
I would like to tell the list that my Tucurui parents successfully reared their fry in my Uaru tank. Yesterday the fry were 19 days old and I removed them into a rearing tank. The female was displaying to the male on Wednesday and I noticed she was chasing the fry away. No doubt another spawning is on the way. I found the parents to be excellent caring for their family. Perhaps as Mike Wise mentioned being housed in a large tank was the answer to this success. Helen. >From what I've read, A. sp. Tucuruí doesn't need special water conditions. They just don't like other members of their own species near their territory, unless ready to breed. Also the females are not the best at protecting their broods. Helen's use of a tank with a lot of bottom surface is a good idea. Let us know how your broods do, Helen. Mike Wise< >Mike Jacobs wrote: > ...and indeed you should be proud Helen. I can't even find the fsh...I hear it's > a tough little bugger to get to spawn...you must be doing a bunch of things > right. > Mike<
Dave, If you buy them, the best way to keep them is 1 male to 2 (and preferably more) females in a very large tank (4'/1m in length). The males are reported to be totally intolerant of other male Tucuruí males and very aggressive to non-breeding females. On the plus side, they do not require special water conditions for breeding. Hope this helps. Mike Wise "D.M.PATERSON" wrote: > hello all, can anyone give me any info on apistogramma tucuri, they have > them available in my local fish shop but know little about them other than > they came from germany and are supposedly rare . > Dave > Scotland > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com. > For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, > email apisto-request@listbox.com. > Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!
John, When I was bagging my Tucurui young adults and sexing them, I studied the caudal fin. The male has spangling the female does not. A magnifying glass is essential while examining the caudal fin. When you return on your wee 'trip' I would advise you to purchase, if possible more females than males. I had success with a trio (1 male 2 females) housed in a 39" x 20" x 16" tall tank sharing with a breeding pair of Uaru. I found the Tucurui to be excellent parents. Helen > Does anyone have any experience with these guys. I just went out to > North Tonowanda yesterday ( I am nuts, a 6 hour drive one way ) to check > out what The Fish Place had for apistos. Well I came home with a few > things, but what i'm getting at here is they had a tank with a dozen or > less nicelyl colored Tucurui. I passed on them because i thought they > were all females. All the fish had nice black markings on their pelvic > fins. Thinking this was a female trait i didnt get any because I > didn't just want girls. Well after getting home, I looked in Romers > book Cichliden Atlas and it shows males with black pelvic fins. Is > this correct?? Please tell me i didnt leave Buffalo with no Tucurui > because i was stupid. They really looked nice too. Not knowing much > about them I passed until I knew more. Hope it didn't make a mistake. > > Any help on the Tucurui would be appreciated. I would go back and get > the rest of the tank if I knew how to sex them properly. Thanks alot > > John Wubbolt
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This page was last updated 02 July 2000 | ||