A.hippolytae Spawning

[David Sanchez <barbax2@yahoo.com>]

Hi guys.

Well I knew would it be soon by the behavior I had been
observing the last few days but my A.hippolytae have
made me very happy with the recent discovery of two
newly laid bathces of eggs. I am very happy with my
source of wild Apisto's as most of them are spawning
within a couple of weeks.

The water was "black water" Ph 4.2, 0 DH, less then 20
microsiemans, 0 KH and a temperture of 76 F. The water
was further treated with peatmoss to give it the nice
amber color and to arrive at the above values. 

The environment was a 30 gallon long with a mixed
population of Apisto's including A.pertensis,
A.gephyra, and the A.hippolytae. The bottom was covered
with a thin layer of sand and consisted of a heavy
concentration of flower pots and coconut shells. Their
was only a slight current provided by a giant sponge
filters air lift.

The spawning act was observed early in the morning at
about an hour after daybreak( My Apisto's are receiving
natural daylight, hey I'm in Florida) It appeared that
the female had staked out a spawning site and she
alerted the male to her readiness as can be deduced by
the defence of the cave for several days by the female.
In all I estimate about 150 eggs roughly for both
spawns. Intrestingly the female can be seen defending
the immediate perimeter around the cave from
allintruders and not the inside of the cave as much.
She is a very attentive mother and can be seen
pulverizing any fish that dare come close to her cave!
I have removed one of the females with her spawn to a
ten gallon tank to ensure I get some fry, the other
female I have left in the tank so that I may observe
and learn more about their behavior. Well thats it for
now I will keep you informed on how things go. Good
luck to you also Greg and Kathy with your
A.hippolytae.

===

David Sanchez
Casselberry, FL
http://www.mindspring.com/~barbax
barbax2@yahoo.com
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