Paretroplus Maculatus Update

[LS2012]

My group of 10 Maculatus +1 Kieneri hitchhiker arrived at the beginning of May 2013 at approx 1.5 to 2 inches

And here they are today, about 10 months later, ranging in size from 3.5 to 6 inches including caudal fin. Their growth was much quicker than anticipated. I'm attributing this to their voracious appetites and very frequent water changes. They're very messy fish. There are at least three Maculatus which I believe are males, mostly due to their size and blackened chins/bellies. (Pls correct me if I'm wrong).

During the past week there has been a significant and incredible color change in the Maculatus group. Shades of rosy pink have deepened into a stunning color that my terrible pics cannot capture. Interestingly, they appear to have all made this color change within a day or two of each other. The first two pics below are of the most dominant fish. He(?) Was in a particularly friendly mood, allowing me to catch a few up close pics just inches away.

Is the reason for the color morph due to reaching sexual maturity? Their diet of mostly NLS pellets and flakes hasn't changed. Water/parameters/temps are the same. This is an absolutely fascinating transformation to have witnessed.




I believe this is another male...


A partial group pic, they're not all as curious as the top dog today









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[ciclasoman]

Very good questions Laurie. I hope you keep reporting your experience with this particular species.
I can't say with certainty if the dominant fish is a male as females grow just as quick but you may be right based on coloration, just remember that this species does not exhibit sexual dimorphism.
Frequent water changes and ample good quality food seems to be working in your fish's favor. Great growth and coloration seem to be the fruits of your labor, excellent work!! Incidentally, I have found maculatus to be the most susceptible to deformations while incubating with methylene blue.
Saludos

 

[LS2012]

Very good questions Laurie. I hope you keep reporting your experience with this particular species.
I can't say with certainty if the dominant fish is a male as females grow just as quick but you may be right based on coloration, just remember that this species does not exhibit sexual dimorphism.
Frequent water changes and ample good quality food seems to be working in your fish's favor. Great growth and coloration seem to be the fruits of your labor, excellent work!! Incidentally, I have found maculatus to be the most susceptible to deformations while incubating with methylene blue.
Saludos

Thank you very, very much Jose! I'll certainly provide ongoing reports.

Your comment regarding methylene blue is very helpful, and hopefully they will have successful spawns in the future. Are there any other Malagasy species which you have found to be particularly susceptible to deformations while incubating with mb?

I'm quite fascinated by Paretroplines, its such a wonderful opportunity to watch them thrive as they continue to develop.

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[notho2000]

Your maculatus are coming along really well. You're certainly doing the right things with them. I agree with Jose that there is really no obvious difference between the sexes. I certainly wasn't able to discern any. Your fish should be reaching a point of becoming sexually mature. Mine showed the darkened throat and chest when spawning. Regarding the methylene blue causing deformities, I have never seen deformations with my menarambo, kieneri, and maculatus fry, although I suppose it's possible that the concentration used could be a factor. Having said that, I defer to Jose's comments. He has the long term experience with these fish and is "the man" when it comes to knowledge on Malagasys cichlids. Herer's a video of a pair of my maculatus spawning a while back.

[video=youtube_share;OIwln_WB5Hg]http://youtu.be/OIwln_WB5Hg[/video]

 

[LS2012]

Your maculatus are coming along really well. You're certainly doing the right things with them. I agree with Jose that there is really no obvious difference between the sexes. I certainly wasn't able to discern any. Your fish should be reaching a point of becoming sexually mature. Mine showed the darkened throat and chest when spawning. Regarding the methylene blue causing deformities, I have never seen deformations with my menarambo, kieneri, and maculatus fry, although I suppose it's possible that the concentration used could be a factor. Having said that, I defer to Jose's comments. He has the long term experience with these fish and is "the man" when it comes to knowledge on Malagasys cichlids. Herer's a video of a pair of my maculatus spawning a while back.

[video=youtube_share;OIwln_WB5Hg]http://youtu.be/OIwln_WB5Hg[/video]

Thanks Jim! I always enjoy your videos and pics
I absolutely agree, Jose is definitely "the man" and an extremely valuable resource.

Any observations regarding the behavior of Maculatus pairs towards each other post spawn? Im guessing they are much kinder to each other than Lamena. Speaking of Lamena, any news on your young pair?

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[duanes]

Thought I'd give this thread a little bump with a shot from today of my P. maculatus.
I've had them about 3 years, when I first got them, they were about 3", they are now about 8".

 

[notho2000]

Beautiful specimens Duane. I'm jealous.

 

[LS2012]

Gorgeous Maculatus Duane, such a great pic too! I hope my group will look as fantastic as yours!

How old were they when their size reached 8 inches?

Thanks for sharing.

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[duanes]

When I first got them (at @3"), I believe they were maybe 1 year old, so I believe they are about 4 years old now, and are slowly putting on size.
Usually I take at least 100-200 shots per day, and for the last 2 or 3 days none (or maybe 1) have been keepers, I took about 50 shots yesterday, and kept 3, sometimes I'm lucky.

 

[ciclasoman]

Great thread guys. I'm impressed with all the valuable information you guys are putting out. I have a group of 6 adults and 4 juvis in 200 gallons and they are terribly aggressive with their conspecifics. Always splashing and bitting the heck of each other. The tank is crowded with other fish to break up the damage. I've manage to get spawns from them despite de fiery mess but I'm questioning whether I should start fresh or just add more maculatus to the mix. I think I'll do the latter.