PlanetCatfish.com

Danny,
Don't know if you've got the baensch catfish atlas but it has some interesting info on your red lizards. It seems all specimens originate from German stock, but there may have been subsequent introductions - location unknown. Thought to be very few purebred specimens left.

Leliella sp. are described, the only sexual dimorphism is the presence of a 'beard', although not very pronounced. The unusual pectoral angle is shared by both sexes so the best feature to go on if the males haven't developed is body shape.

The red colour can intensify if given cyclops or other crustacea (prawns!), so the chitinous sterbai eggs probably helped!

Lots of cross-bred examples in the hobby, apparently the true red lizard only produces a small number of eggs so breeders have been using Hemiloricara lanceolota to boost egg numbers! Unfortunately the crossed fish doesn't have the same intensity and who knows what they might develop into.

Great talk yesterday and good feedback - some useful tips picked up by all no doubt!

Cheers,
Mark.

Mark,

I'm not sure that Danny looks in here, but the red lizards he has were from me and they are pure a bred strain I picked up from a breeder in Hamburg a couple of years back and was advised not to introduce other colour forms.

Ian

Ian,
Thanks for the additional info. Danny mentioned they originated from you and we had an interesting discussion over the possible sex of the three specimens. Certainly looked like the real-McCoy from the pics.

Thought I'd post the baensch info here to spread the word. Plus I couldn't get a response from Danny's e-mail address!

Cheers,
Mark.

Sometimes it takes a few days before Danny checks his mail.

Ian