F1 Archocentrus multispinosa different from tank raised

[ahud]

I have kept the traditional rainbow cichlid (A. multispinosa) several times over the years. I purchased a group of 9 f1 individuals back in July of last year and have been growing them out. The fish were sold as f1 from parents collected in Limon Costa Rica.

Over the past week, three pairs have spawned. I noticed right from the start a few differences from the standard rainbow cichlid.
-These guys are way more aggressive in defending their eggs/fry. Both male and female attack the algae magnet and my hand when cleaning the tank. They are also guarding a larger area.
-Additionally, two of the three pairs are guarding wrigglers and both pairs chose to hang their fry. I don't recall my domestic pairs hanging the fry. One pair plastered their fry on a sponge filter. The other hung the fry in the roots of an African Fern.

Has anyone made similar observations? I know rapps had them for a while, but I don't know anybody that purchased any.

 

[cichlidfish]

Very interesting. I only have one tank raised fish, so haven't noticed this behavior.

 

[jonclark96]

Glad you are having luck with them. I still have a lone male w/c one, but never got them to spawn before they spawned. I'm not convinced I had a pair, as the one I have always beat on the other, regardless of tank size of tank mates. Any pics? Mine has rather unremarkable coloration.

 

[ahud]

I'll try to get some pictures.

No tank mates other than some livebearers. They are in a 125g tank. The pairing process was pretty smooth, some have marks on their lips from locking up. I did not have any spawning action until I turned the heat up to 84-86 and then they all went crazy. A lone female does not have a male and she is doing her best to tempt one of the taken males.

Coloration is pleasant. Bright yellow with blue speckling around their belly. Pelvic fins take on a blue color. If they are not actively pre-spawning/fussing with each other than their color is really dull.

 

[Desert Bus]

My female is always much duller than the male, but my male is almost always a nice bright orange. No idea on spawning behavior yet, or lineage (I found them at PetSmart).

I actually just found this thread because I was looking for the thread I posted about mine yesterday before I attempted to get some more pics of them:
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...bow-chiclids-herotilapia-multispinosa.682379/

Is A. multispinosa or H. multispinosa the correct name for these?

 

[ahud]

My female is always much duller than the male, but my male is almost always a nice bright orange. No idea on spawning behavior yet, or lineage (I found them at PetSmart).

I actually just found this thread because I was looking for the thread I posted about mine yesterday before I attempted to get some more pics of them:
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...bow-chiclids-herotilapia-multispinosa.682379/

Is A. multispinosa or H. multispinosa the correct name for these?

I think the name is still Archocentrus, but I am not positive. Originally they were Herotilapia, then Archocentrus. But a lot of people disagreed with them being moved to Archocentrus. I have not kept up with everything since the most recent name changes.

The colors vary from strain to strain. Captive bred fish tend to be pretty colorful. My advice, keep them in a tank big enough for multiple pairs to breed and don't add any other cichlids. They will keep you entertained with their harmless squabbles. I don't think they have the tools to compete with other cichlids, so you won't see their best mixing them with other species.

I was so bored with the current tank over the past six months that I kept toying with the idea of changing them out for something else. Now that all of the spawning activity is going on, I am glad I waited. A. multispinosa is one of a kind when breeding in groups IMO. They behave how a lot of people say Thorichthys behave but don't require the space or cover needed to keep Thorichthys from shredding each other. That is my experience with a 6' tank.

 

[Desert Bus]

I just updated my thread so you can see what mine are with and in.

 

[Kayzee]

I personally liked the Yellowish ones a bit more than the Orange ones. Probably Nicaragua ones are different.Here was a male i had.