Can Panaquolus species hybridise?

[pleconut]

It will not be a permanent arrangement, but I'm thinking of putting 2 Panaquolus species in one tank, Panaquolus Albomaculatus LDA 031and L397s. In the two groups there are young adults none of which have bred but my L397s do engage in spawning related behaviour. I spoke to the guy that bred my L397s who mentioned that the mustard spots could go in for a time but not to let them interbreed as it is not right. I just wanted to make it very clear, as it can be a controversial subject, I fully agree it's not something that should be done. My views are also that encouraging hybridism is wrong, and therefore I wouldn't mix species that can if there's any chance, no matter how small that it can happen. So I'm putting this question out there in the hope I get a definite answer. Can hybridisation occur between Panaquolus species? I'm aware Hypansistrus can and Ancistrus, possibly others also can. But does this genera based hybridisation apply also to Panaquolus species?
Thanks in advance.

Teresa

[racoll]

I'm quite sure it's possible, but what's the problem? If they do hybridise, you just need to make sure that the offspring don't get passed on to other hobbyists. That is all.

If you can't bear to cull the fry, or you don't have the tank space to look after the offspring for their entire lives, then I would recommend not mixing them.

[bekateen]

Hi Teresa,

Although I can't recall where, I have a recollection of seeing photos of babies that were a hybrid between L397 and something else. Alas I can't recall the other parent or the URL.

Otherwise, Racoll's advice is on the money.

Cheers, Eric

[pleconut]

Thanks Eric it stands to reason hybridisation is possible, and seeing as I only have two Mustard spots and 8 L397s, and possibly a new development is I'm now adding more L397s in the very near future as I've found a new bloodline group of F1s I've been after. It would be more likely that hybridisation could occur if they were together because of numbers alone. Another mitigating circumstance is one of the Mustard spots, in the QT tank still has a possible health related problem, but I've not as yet been able to find out what it may be, or how to treat it, but it doesnt seem to be contagious as the other fish is ok. So until I do its much safer for them to stay in QT. Thereafter, because of the additional L397s planned the tank space is needed, they will be somewhere else.

[Acanthicus]

Hi there,

there are known hybrids from the genus Panaqolus already: http://www.l-welse.com/reviewpost/showp ... 92/cat/120

Still its unlikely they mix in this case I assume. Both mentioned species belong to two different groups within the genus and are therefore apparently not as closely related as L 2 and L 397 for example. If they would mix, it would be interesting to observe the juveniles on the one side, but only if it can completely be asured that the hybrids will never make their way on the market or in somebodies tank who doesnt care at all.Thats what happened with Hypancistrus-hybrids a lot and nowadays it can be hard to find pure L 260 for example, because they got mixed with L 411 quiet often.

cheers, Daniel

[pleconut]

I'd take a guess the striped ones similar in appearance to L397s are more likely to hybridise, than the ones completely different to eachother in appearance, as in the case of the ones I have. But given all the circumstances I dont think its worth mixing them together.

[bekateen]

Thanks Daniel, Those were the images I was trying to recall.

Cheers, Eric

[pleconut]

Even though they are hybrids, quite pretty, but I think a cross between a Mustard spot and an L397 would look quite strange. Anyhow decided against mixing them, the chances may be qiute small, but then there the health concerns in the QT tank lingering, and an opportunity to introduce new Bloodlines of some rather really nice looking L397s.