Where to buy Amatitlania sp.?

[PoopSmart]

I have a 40 breeder behind me aquascaped with driftwood and rocks, and I wanted to dedicate it to one Amatitlania species, anything like:

- Sajica
- Nanoluteus
- Honduran Red Points
- Myrnae
- Siquia

Sajica would be my first choice, but every LFS around me looks at me like I have 3 heads when I ask if they have them on any of their order sheets.

Is there a place local to the St. Louis area where I could get my hands on these? I've never shipped fish, and I am terrified of the thought. I would consider it if no other options, but I figured I would ask here before going that route!

Thanks

 

[Angelphish]

If you can't find anything near you, wetspottropicalfish.com currently has Sajicas, Nanoluteus, and Honduran Red Points in stock; all at under $10 a piece.

 

[Ozzie73]

What size are you looking for? I have a few extra F1 Siquia males 3-4" and a few .5" F2 fry growing out. They spawned in community tank so I was only able to save a few. I didn't realize I still had a female in there beforehand...lol. Like stated above, if you can't find anything near you, it's another option. GL on the search.

 

[duanes]

IMO sajica get too big for 40 breeder, the others might work.
The male pair of sajica I had grew way to tall for a low tank like that.
In the pic below he was @ 6-8" long and almost as tall, I believe in a tank that size he would have killed any other fish, including the female.

A 75 gal or larger would be more the proper size tank.

Myrnae below in a 75, the male hit around 6", which I consider need at least a 60 gal tank

The red points, nanoluteus, or siquia would be better options for your tank.

 

[Ozzie73]

The Siquia get rather large also. That's just from reading up on them though, not actual experience keeping them yet. They're growing out in a 40 breeder at the moment and definitely growing faster than any of my other Amatitlania I have.

 

[PoopSmart]

I'm not really worried about the size as I have an empty 75 gallon collecting dust I could set up should they get too large.

The consensus sounds like shipping is the best option though which is what I was afraid of!

 

[PoopSmart]

P.S. - Thanks for all the input, and those are great Sajica specimens Duanes! You can't show me those beautiful pictures though and then tell me not to get them! That's just cruel!

 

[decoy50]

Shipping is no different than buying at a LFS other than they are in the bag a little longer. Same acclimation procedures apply - float the bags to regulate the temp, net them out & drop them in. Any reputable website will have little issue getting your fish to you. Only drawback is shipping costs.

 

[PoopSmart]

Well then my next question would be how many should I order to ensure a pair? 4? 6?

 

[duanes]

If it were me, using only a 40 gal tank, I'd order the nanoluteus.
I'd get at least 6 to be sure to get a compatible pair.