Mouthbrooding Severums 'atabapo', how many to a tank?
- Thread starter Cohazard
- Start date
Well, as of current scientific thought (might/probably will change), sp. 'Atabapo' is a distinct, though closely related, species to H. severus.
Regardless, care should be the same. A bonded pair would work in a 120, though the parrot will need to be moved out as it gets bigger. But while it's growing it should be fine and make for an awesome tank, sp. 'atabapo's tend to be my favorite colored sev.
Regardless, care should be the same. A bonded pair would work in a 120, though the parrot will need to be moved out as it gets bigger. But while it's growing it should be fine and make for an awesome tank, sp. 'atabapo's tend to be my favorite colored sev.
What is the current scientific though regarding sexing this fish? Is the spotted gill cover theory no longer valid?
I am interested in breeding, but if it means only keeping a pair, then I would try to get all one sex.
I've read that the H. psittacus requires a 4'x18" for a breeding pair, why would I not be able to keep a single speciment in my tank that is 4'x2'?
I am interested in breeding, but if it means only keeping a pair, then I would try to get all one sex.
I've read that the H. psittacus requires a 4'x18" for a breeding pair, why would I not be able to keep a single speciment in my tank that is 4'x2'?
I know the spotted gill plate works for H. severus, will try and track down if it holds for H. sp. 'Atabapo' or not.
As for the parrot, they get large (18") though thankfully a slow grower. They also take a long time to mature, while there has been sucessfull breeding prior to the 5 year old mark, most of the successfull ones happen afterwards. I certainly wouldn't keep a 12" pair that doesn't like each other in a 4'x18" or even a 4'x24' unless it was divided, but honestly I'd consider a 6'x2' min. for an adult parrot pair. Note I am usually called conservative in my stocking though.
As for the parrot, they get large (18") though thankfully a slow grower. They also take a long time to mature, while there has been sucessfull breeding prior to the 5 year old mark, most of the successfull ones happen afterwards. I certainly wouldn't keep a 12" pair that doesn't like each other in a 4'x18" or even a 4'x24' unless it was divided, but honestly I'd consider a 6'x2' min. for an adult parrot pair. Note I am usually called conservative in my stocking though.
It does look the male sp. 'Atabapo' does have spots under the gill plate and the female doesn't, they just don't seem to be as prevalant as they do in serverus.
From what I read the "spots on the gill cover" criterion still applies, although I haven't seen one in person.
Where are you getting them from and how big are they?
Where are you getting them from and how big are they?
H. psittacus prolly wont get 18" in a home aquarium. i've seen a large 13" pair in a 125g and they filled the tank out nicely. i couldnt image a large one with a pair of severums with one in a 120g. i've got a few growing out right now to go with a few fish in community and im thinking about abatapo too. in most cases when you have a breeding pair, tank mates are gonna get the shaft
I have this arrangement as we speak, in a 180gl. I have Five H. Psitts, Two males and three female. The largest being 7in and the smallest at 5in with a pair of Atabapo @ 4in. Also in the same tank are four Red Severum @ 5in and a host of other fish with no signs of aggression. No one have paired off yet, but its still more than enough room if they do. So I would say, you should be able to house them together with little effort, but keep in mind that every fish is different and what works for one but not work for all. But in my case, it works. I wouldn't dare tell you how many you could keep, only you can answer that. But you do have the blue print to pull it off. Good Luck