Ira Posted September 27, 2002 Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 3-4 months ago I bought a pair of Geophagus Surinamensis from Fee. One of them is now very definitely smaller than the other. Does anyone know if this is a sex-linked trait or something common? This would be the second pair of them that I've had one of the Surinams significantly smaller than the other. But, other than the size I can't tell any difference between the two. Males, I think, are supposed to get a bit bigger and have longer trailing fins. But, both seem to have identical fins, just one is bigger. They're both happy and eating like pigs, by the way, Fee if you read this. Once or twice they scared me and I thought they might be bloated, until I realized that their huge belly goes away overnight and then suddenly reappears after feeding Hehehe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 27, 2002 Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 Speaking as one who knows nothing about these fish and has never kept them :lol: my book says sexual dimorphism is very slight with the females being more silvery. I would wonder if the larger fish was the dominant one so got more food. This would not necessarily mean big meant male, small meant female. The less dominant one probably doesn't want to attract the attention of the bigger guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CID in OZ Posted September 27, 2002 Report Share Posted September 27, 2002 Hi Ira There is a size variation between males and females with the males attaining a larger size The dorsal and anal fins extend sharper on males and both develop filaments from these fins Ira what "Surinamensis" type are they ? The 2 forms we have in Australia are Geophagus brachybranchus AKA Black Throat Surinamensis These have a coarse bronze/green body scale pattern that highlights a red hue through the top of the body and they have a large mid body spot that fades but is still present and noticable The other noticable feature is a black cheek mark and the development of a black throat that intensifies with breeding These fish are "lavaphiles" primative mooth brooders that lay the eggs and wait 24-48 hrs before mouthing the lavae free and brooding them The other form is Geophagus altifrons which I believe are the Manaus varient these are a more emerald green body colour with orange/yellow through the under belly the mid body spot fades to two small spots like a spider bite These fish are "ovaphiles" advanced mouth breeders that spawn on a flat surface and pick the eggs up as they spawn like African rift lake mouthbreeders Best if keep in neutral water >20*gDh ...... 28*C is recommended to keep the metabolism running at a rate where the fish eats readily and is not spooked easily ...... omnivorious feeder that like invertabrates If you have any other questions feel free to ask Chris 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 28, 2002 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2002 Sounds like mine are altifrons from your description. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CID in OZ Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 Hi Ira The G.altifrons are my favourites of the 2 they get larger in the body and longer aswell Usually need to be around 15cm size before breeding starts Kick the temp up to 30-32*C feed heavy add earthworms and shimp for extra protien Keep the fry at 30*C they seem touchy if the temp drops Feed them with New hatched brine shrimp , micro worms and ground flake/pellets Chris 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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