They may be almost extinct in the wild, but...

[TheFanatic]

Sp. 44 and or ZOs are becoming the guppy of the Vic world. Some of the big boxes have started carrying them. I have been reading several books on how to correctly identify the different species and it is quite a chore and coloration is merely a secondary factor if even that high. Most of the identification has to do with the teeth and differing ratios of various body parts.

Yeah, it is a chore. More so for cats (IMHO) than it is for Chichlids. For Plecos and the like it's rays in the dorsal fin, rows of teeth, etc.

It's pretty clear that the fish in question is Astatotilapia latifasciata. It has "adopted" the ZO nickname. With the real ZO being extinct and the Astatotilapia latifasciata following closely behind it's still an amazing fish....So who knows what will have the ZO nickname in a few years...

 

[mike dunagan]

The reality of the matter is that little is known of the lake's fish.... Many have be shipped without identification. I am sure we will continue to find this topic discussed. Lets use the Fav Vic area to do this...

 

[Robertshadow]

Thats what i do ..i hate stripping..risk losing some fry etc..some parents {females} need to be with the young..venustus need to be with their babies 11 days because all the babies go into her mouth at night.. but what ever works for folks ..

I never strip, even if the parents lose most of the first liter.

 

[Red Devil]

I never strip, even if the parents lose most of the first liter.

i believe nature knows best most of the time..

 

[TheFanatic]

I haven't stripped them yet. They are still bulging at the mouth but have now gotten really aggressive towards each other. I hope that's a sign they are going to spit them soon. I put a little flake food in every day. Not sure if they are eating it.

 

[mike dunagan]

hope for the best...I use NLS growth instead! If you have not seen a theme I love NLS...

 

[TheFanatic]

One of the Fems has spit out her fry. The only problem now is that she is now looking for food and the other fem has not spit out her fry and she is being hyper protective. I counted 5 that I could see right away. I'm guessing there are more than that that I couldn't see.

Feeding them Hikari Gold first bites.

With all the love for the NLS though I may have to place an order for some of their stuff soon...

 

[rasdbo]

nice obliqs. Always was a fav with it being so colorful. Kind of like Nics from CA but with stipes.

I used to get about 25 ea spawn.

 

[Red Devil]

One of the Fems has spit out her fry. The only problem now is that she is now looking for food and the other fem has not spit out her fry and she is being hyper protective. I counted 5 that I could see right away. I'm guessing there are more than that that I couldn't see.

Feeding them Hikari Gold first bites.

With all the love for the NLS though I may have to place an order for some of their stuff soon...

congradulations!!!!! wooooooo!!!! They are beautiful!!!!

 

[Scotty]

Come mainly from Lake Kioga which is just North of Victoria. Males have the orange colouring on them. Have just gotten in a shipment of 10 fish and have 3 females carrying. They are something quite different and always catch the eye of someone looking for some colur for their tank. Am trying to get a hold of Astatotilapia nublia. Almost entirely black in colour but for the bright red on the end of the dorsal and anal fins and tail.
Lake Victoria together with Kioga are very shallow and they have been badly affected by pollution and silting.
Always nice to have babies born into a tank. Just adds something special to it.