Laetacara fulvipinnis

[Mahlerfan]

This species of Laetacara is rather uncommon in the U.S. Too bad as it is really very beautiful little cichlid. I'm currently keeping 7 of these in a 55 gallon tank. No spawning activity yet but, as both Laetacara dorsigera and Laetacara curviceps are pretty easy to spawn (actually, I have fry of both of these species now), I'm hoping these will be as well.

 

[darth pike]

Very nice!! I glad someone has them, they are so rarely imported. I think I've only seen them once on a list in the last few years. Is there personality more curviceps or more dorsigera?

 

[DCOWBOYS]

They kinda look like Port Cichlids,nice little cichlids.

 

[Mahlerfan]

darth pike, so far they don't act like either of those species (at least in my experience.) Although they do have minor squabbles now and then, all 7 Laetacara fulvipinnis like to stick together. It's funny because they look like a school of tetras from a distance. I've found in my groups of Laetacara dorsigera and Laetacara curviceps that, unless they are a pair, they usually don't like others of their kind too near them.

DCOWBOYS, yes they do look like little Ports. I think that one study resulted in the thinking that Laetacara is most closely related to Cichlasoma - the Ports (if I'm remebering correctly.)

 

[darth pike]

Schooling Laetacara??? Neat!!! That is deffinately usual behavior, and so unlike the members of the other species that I've kept. I hope you manage to get them in the mood so you can spread these guys around.

And yes, appearantly the smiling acaras are the first acara group evoluntionary speaking, the bridge between the port cichlids and the acaras. At least according to the genetic research.

 

[JK47]

So cool to see this species here! Thank you for sharing! (and thanks in advance for shipping me fry)

 

[DaveB]

Interesting. Same size as the others?

Curviceps/Dorsigera are that one fish that is cursed for me... I could never keep them alive and happy in my community tanks. Everything else was fine, even very sensitive fish, but they just never made it. I think they're awesome fish though, would love to try again. Yours look great, especially among the real plants.

 

[Mahlerfan]

JK47, thanks and your welcome in advance (for the fry.)

darth pike, thanks for the confirmation on the Laetacara/Cichlasoma link. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for fry. It would be nice to have this species more available in the hobby.


DaveB, thanks. They get a little bigger than both L. dorsigera and L. curviceps. It's too bad about the bad luck you had with those two species. They are really fun little cichlids.