Mikrogeophagus altispinosus: Difference between revisions
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==Appearance and sexual dimorphism== |
==Appearance and sexual dimorphism== |
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[[Image:Altispinosus female fry.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Female with newly free-swimming fry]] |
[[Image:Altispinosus female fry.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Female with newly free-swimming fry]] |
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The species is similar in profile to the larger [[Geophaginae|geophagine]] cichlids. Maximum size is approximately 8 centimetres (3.1 [[inch|in]].).<ref name="Baensch">Baensch, H.A. & G. Fischer: Baensch Aquarium Atlas Photo Index 1-5 ISBN 388244083X</ref> The head and front half of the body is yellow fading to olive-grey at the rear. There is a vertical black band through the eye and |
The species is similar in profile to the larger [[Geophaginae|geophagine]] cichlids. Maximum size is approximately 8 [[centimetres]] (3.1 [[inch|in]].).<ref name="Baensch">Baensch, H.A. & G. Fischer: Baensch Aquarium Atlas Photo Index 1-5 ISBN 388244083X</ref> The head and front half of the body is yellow fading to olive-grey at the rear. There is a vertical black band through the eye and six faint transverse stripes along the body the third stripe is dark at its centre. The first few rays of the [[dorsal fin]] are black and both the dorsal and [[caudal fin]] are edged in pinky-red. The [[anal fin|anal]] and [[pelvic fin]]s are the same shade of red throughout with bright blue rays and dots.<ref name="dcichlids"/> |
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The species displays limited [[sexual dimorphism]], mature males being slightly larger and in some cases showing longer extensions on both the caudal fin and the posterior of the dorsal fin. |
The species displays limited [[sexual dimorphism]], mature males being slightly larger and in some cases showing longer extensions on both the caudal fin and the posterior of the dorsal fin.<ref name="HJR"/> |
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==Diet== |
==Diet== |
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Revision as of 07:58, 17 April 2007
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| This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2007) |
| Bolivian ram | |
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| A pair of Bolivian rams | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
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| Genus: | |
| Species: | M. altispinosus
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| Binomial name | |
| Mikrogeophagus altispinosus (Haseman, 1911)
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| Synonyms | |
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Crenicara altispinosa (Haseman, 1911) Microgeophagus altispinosus (Haseman, 1911) Papiliochromis altispinosus (Haseman, 1911) | |
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus is a species of fish endemic to the Amazon river basin, in Brazil and Bolivia respectively.[1] The species is part of the family Cichlidae and is included in subfamily Geophaginae.[1] It is a popular aquarium fish, traded under the common names of Bolivian butterfly, Bolivian ram and Ruby clown cichlid.[2][3][4]
Range, geographic variants and habitat
The species occurs in the Mamoré and Guaporé river drainages in Bolivia and Brazil. Whether one morph of M. altispinosus, known to aquarium hobbyists as Mikrogeophagus sp. "Zweifleck/Two-patch", found in the upper Rio Guaporé in Brazil is a different species remains unclear[5] The type locality is the Rio Mamoré at San Joaquin (Beni Province, Bolivia).[5] In its natural habitat the species occurs in permanent freshwater streams and pools.[citation needed]
Appearance and sexual dimorphism
The species is similar in profile to the larger geophagine cichlids. Maximum size is approximately 8 centimetres (3.1 in.).[6] The head and front half of the body is yellow fading to olive-grey at the rear. There is a vertical black band through the eye and six faint transverse stripes along the body the third stripe is dark at its centre. The first few rays of the dorsal fin are black and both the dorsal and caudal fin are edged in pinky-red. The anal and pelvic fins are the same shade of red throughout with bright blue rays and dots.[3]
The species displays limited sexual dimorphism, mature males being slightly larger and in some cases showing longer extensions on both the caudal fin and the posterior of the dorsal fin.[2]
Diet
Omnivorous. Sifts the substrate for plant material and small organisms.
Reproduction
A bi-parental substrate brooder with a high degree of parental care of eggs and fry.
Bolivian rams have a typical courtship involving much cleaning of surfaces and reciprocal displays. The female will deposit some 100-200 ovoid eggs on the chosen surface (they are also known to spawn in pits which are dug in the substrate). The eggs are laid in lines, when the female has laid one line, the male will pass over it and fertilise the eggs, the female then continues on to the next line and so on until spawning is complete.
The eggs will develop for 3-4 days and during this time the female will stand guard over them. The male will patrol the larger territory although he will occasionaly take over guard duty while the female eats.
On hatching the fry will be moved to a newly prepared pit in the sand and they may then be moved several times over the next few days when in the larval stage. Fry become free swimming at about 5 days. Both male and female will continue to guard fry for several days or even weeks.
The young fish are large enough to eat newly hatched brine shrimp immediately and grow rapidly. By the time they are a month old they can be fed the same diet as adult fish although flake should be crushed down to size.
A distinguishing feature of young M. altispinosus is the prominent black and white flash formed by the first few rays of the dorsal fin.
There can be a large variation in size between fish from the same brood although cannibalism has not been reported.
The fry start to gain colour at around 12 - 14 weeks and by the time they are 4 months old are fully formed miniature copies of the adults. They are large enough to be sold on at around 5 - 6 months.
In the aquarium
The Bolivian ram is a popular fish and is widely available. It is hardy and provided extremes are avoided can be kept in most community setups. The Bolivian Ram requires a pH of around 7.[6], but is adaptable. The prefered temperature range is 22-26oC.[6]
For a cichlid this is a peaceful species and it will not bother other fish nor destroy tank furnishings and plants. It may show aggression to conspecifics so it's best kept as a single fish or as a pair though it is possible to have several pairs in larger aquaria.
At just 8cm this species is classified as a dwarf cichlid. If kept in a species tank then 60cm is sufficient. A sand substrate is prefered as this fish is a sand-sifter. Cover should be provided in the form of bogwood and plants.
Both dried and frozen food are accepted and live foods such as brine shrimp, grindal worm and daphnia are eaten.
Similar species
There is one other described species in the genus - the smaller blue ram, M. ramirezi. Mikrogeophagus sp. "Zweifleck/Two-patch", also known as Mikrogeophagus sp. ""Pindaituba"" may represent an undescribed species,[5] though this remains to be confirmed.
Trivia
Although described long before its cousin, the blue ram, the Bolivian ram is a relative newcomer to the aquarium hobby, not being imported in any numbers until the mid 1980s.
It's common name actually refers to the specific name of another species.
References
- ^ a b Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. "Mikrogeophagus altispinosus". FishBase. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ a b Richter H-J (1989) Complete book of dwarf cichlids. Tropical Fish Hobbyist, USA
- ^ a b Linke H, Staeck L (1994) American cichlids I: Dwarf Cichlids. A handbook for their identification, care and breeding. Tetra Press. Germany. ISBN 1-56465-168-1
- ^ Newman L (2007) Mikrogeophagus altispinosus (Haseman, 1911) Ed Azas JMA. The Cichlidroom Companion
- ^ a b c Stawikowski, Rainer, Ingo Kosloswki & Volker Bohnet (editors): Sudamerikanische Zwergcichliden/South American Dwarf Cichlids. New A-Numbers, Habitat, Care and Reproduction. ISBN 3-8001-0911-5
- ^ a b c Baensch, H.A. & G. Fischer: Baensch Aquarium Atlas Photo Index 1-5 ISBN 388244083X