Re: Aggie "Alenquer"

[Frauley/Elson <fraulels@minet.ca>]

IDMiamiBob@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Steve writes:
> 
> > I only had room to
> >  grow out about twenty fry which are all aout 7 months old now . To me
> >  they all look like females.I should be able to tell now ....right?
> 
> Maybe not.  Apistos are notorious for their slow maturation.  I think it is
> beause they only spawn in the wild during the rainy season.  Acquiring full
> "male" coloration early makes them easier for wading birds and others to spot.
> This is also an explanation for "sleeper" males that don't become mature males
> until the dominant male in the immediate area gets eaten or killed by other
> natural causes.   So a fish that takes nine or ten months to mature has a
> better chance of survival into the spawning season than a fish with a quicker
> maturation.
> 
> Bob Dixon.
> 

I agree with Bob, however, I do have some young alenquers showing
minimal dorsal colour at three months. That's not to say they all would.
-Gary


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