Male and Female L262?

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racoll
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Male and Female L262?

Post by racoll »

I'm pretty sure I have a pair, but i'd like to get a few more opinions.

Image


Another interesting thing to note is the development of belly pattern in this fish with maturity. Reticulated, rather like the L260, which I am sure is closely related.

Image


Here is the same fish 18 months ago...

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Post by Janne »

No doubts about that, you have a pair and the female look quite heavy loaded with eggs :wink:

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Post by Barbie »

Definitely a pair! Good luck with that next rainy season! ;) That's an interesting point on the stomach becoming striated later on. I wouldn't have expected that!

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Post by Jon »

Is that the only male in the tank? I noticed that when I added more males, it seems the smaller males tend to shed their previously blank bellies in favor of a darker pattern (as it is with my other hypancistrus)--dominance patterning, perhaps?
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Post by racoll »

Is that the only male in the tank?
I initially had a male and female from the same batch (with medium spots).

Then I bought three more, as mentioned in this post...

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... light=l262


These were a male and female "large-spot", and a "micro-spot" of unknown sex (that incidentally is by far the most secretive of the group).

They were all kept together in the big tank, but yesterday I moved the original pair (the "medium-spot") to a breeding tank. This is when I took the photos.

Now you mention about dominance, I would like to see how the belly of the male "large-spot" has changed over six months, but unfortunately pulling the decor out is such a hassle, it won't be done unless absolutely necessary!

I don't know which male was dominant, as the much smaller "medium-spot" male had the best cave in the current, but this may be because the "large-spot" male couldn't get inside.

They never really had any contact with each over that I saw, as they lived at opposite ends of a five foot tank, and never seemed to venture far from their respective caves.


How are your L262 getting on Jon? Any luck?
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Post by Jon »

Not so much. I'm really beginning to think that the two spot sizes are either different subspecies or species altogether. The females have literally been gravid for the last 6 months (on and off), and the males, fully bearded (and fine spotted), just sit in their caves. The females don't approach them, and the males don't entice them. Damn.
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Post by racoll »

I'm really beginning to think that the two spot sizes are either different subspecies or species altogether.
Yes I think they probably should be treated as such until they are described. For any breeding attempt they should probably be seperated.
The females don't approach them, and the males don't entice them. Damn.
What's your temp, pH & hardness?

I hope your luck changes. Has anyone on this forum bred these fish yet?
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racoll
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Post by racoll »

Ah, they're so sweet!

Any tips?
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