Rivulatus questions

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

Mythic Figment

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 27, 2012
2,117
2
0
Florida
I have had to postpone my acquisition of a few new species due to a possible move, but either soon after my move or upon finding out I don't have to move, I will be getting 3-4 new species. One of those species will be Andinoacara rivulatus. Now I have done a lot of research on their care, breeding, and physiology, but I'm left with a few questions that I hope you guys can help me figure out.

First up, how do I avoid males getting a huge nuchal hump? The humps aren't very appealing to me personally, so I'd like to avoid it, though a little bit of one is perfectly fine. All the articles and posts I have read talk about ways to grow the nuchal hump, but if couldn't find anything on not growing it. I am probably looking at having a breeding pair of these and I have a few resources for getting these guys. There are 5" gold WCs, 6" white CBs, and 2" gold CBs. Any thoughts on what might be better to get to avoid the nuchal hump? I've heard the hump is affected by diet, dominance with other males, breeding/pairing with a female, and being purely genetic. Does anyone know for sure if any/all of these are true? Would it be better to grow a male out alone and attempt to pair him with a female later in life (6"+)?

Secondly, would be easier to unload white saums or gold/orange saums in the event that I do decide to breed and need to sell off some fry?

Thanks in advance for all the input. :)


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
If a male is courting and or breeding the hump will grow. Only way I've had a male not grow a hump was if it was subdominant or alone.

Sent from my VS840 4G
 
As stated, in breeding and tank dominance you'll probably see a nuchal hump. But to my understanding is mostly genetic. So it's a really a crap shoot.

I think white saums will be easier to unload as they are pretty rare.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
For unloading, I can get gold saums anyday of the week at petsmart but rarely see silvers. Personally I like golds more and I would imagine most people do as well which is why they are so easy to find compared to silvers but if you're shipping and advertising in local clubs they may want silvers since they are rarer.
 
Breeding does not necessarily induce growth of the biggest hump, specially if it is lone pair with no competition. Competition with among males will induce the growth of the largest hump in the dominant male. Taking out the biggest humped male will induce the second dominant male to hump up in front your eye in less than a day. GT humps are waterly, not solid like Frontosa which can inflate and deflate rapidly with the status of the fish. Genetic also plays a strong factor. Not all GTs are equal. Some GT have no potential to develop a big hump regardless of their status.
 
So it sounds like I should just get a pair or two and keep any males away from each other. I might see if there are any males in that batch of 6" silver saums without a hump and get a lady for him. :)


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom