Re: Apisto Predators

["Scott Olson" <olson7@hotmail.com>]

I can't remember whether I've mentioned this on the list before (old age 
kicking in?), but there is a very interesting display at the Steinhart 
Aquarium in San Francisco.

The tank is huge, maybe 6-8 feet deep, about the same width and probably a 
little longer than that from front to back.  For several years they've had a 
display of good-sized piranha in the tank.  What most visitors probably 
don't notice is that there is a very healthy colony of apistogramma living 
in the rubble at the bottom!  Last time I was there, they were apisto cf 
eunotus.  If memory serves, a few years before, they had displayed sp. 
rotpunkt.  They were of all ages from newly-swimming fry to large adult 
males.  I could've sat there for hours watching the apistos interact, but of 
course, the kids soon tired of this and wanted to move on.

I can't say whether the piranhas ever preyed on the apistos, they seemed to 
completely ignore them.  They inhabited the top half of the tank and  the 
apistos seemed to hug the bottom, more out of preference than fear.

Just thought it was an interesting display.

Scott



_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com.
For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help,
email apisto-request@listbox.com.
Search http://www.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!