Dicrossus Maculatus Pics

[magpie]

OK, here are my photos of the new pair. The shots were taken on their second day so they will likely color up a bit more. And the female will be less camera shy as time goes on, likely. They are pretty little fish, and longer (vs. wider) than the other SA dwarves. They also swim in small little bursts - swim, pause, swim, pause, swim, pause. They seemed to acclimate and become comfortable almost immediately. They go all over the tank and peck around at the leaves and algae looking for tidbits. The single female Apisto has relaxed about them being around since they "listen" to her and don't seem to be a threat. They're all getting along fine now.

Excuse the tank - I went on a 3-week trip (no tank cleaning, just a friend feeding them), and then was back for 2 weeks and then had knee surgery, so there's some algae on the glass and during that time black brush algae decided to come say hi. So I need to do some more cleaning up of the tank now and replace a few plants.

Here is the female. She's about 1.5-2"

And the male is 2-2.5"

If anyone else has had these guys, I'd love to hear about your experiences with them.

 

[dougie]

Very nice pics. Can't help with any advice, but lovely fish

 

[josh_g]

quality looking fish

 

[magpie]

Thanks! I'm lucky in that I have a fab LFS.

 

[DrRob]

Pretty fish. I'm tempted to go looking for some now.

Them or festivums.

 

[Wills]

Nice! Great little cichlid Amazing photos as well

Andy xx

 

[magpie]

Thanks!

Dr. Rob - I'll be curious which you choose and what you think of whichever you choose. The festivums are also striking, but both are very differently shaped. This would be for your 140 L?

 

[Sharpy1987]

Stunning fish! what's their needed water conditions? i'd love a pair

 

[MartinS]

I added this picture of Dicrossus filamentosus to the Member's Aquarium and Fish Pictures section the other week. I little blurred, but taken with tank lights on and no flash. It's one of two males I have, left over from a group of 4 I started with. They don't seem to be available very often, and I'd certainly add to my group next time I see them for sale.

Martin

 

[magpie]

Stunning fish! what's their needed water conditions? i'd love a pair

Try are less particular than the filamentous, from what I've read. They like conditions similar to other SA dwarves - soft, acidic water and they like a planted setup so they're less shy. For breeding they like a lower pH, like 5.5, but mine is not that low and have read that they're just fine as long as its 6.8 or lower. I think temps 75-80 F, mine is 78-79. I've read some folks saying they're shy, but mine are not at all. Possibly due to lots of plants? Or the fact that they're tank-raised, not wild?

I added this picture of Dicrossus filamentosus to the Member's Aquarium and Fish Pictures section the other week. I little blurred, but taken with tank lights on and no flash. It's one of two males I have, left over from a group of 4 I started with. They don't seem to be available very often, and I'd certainly add to my group next time I see them for sale.

Martin

Yeah, I prefer to take my shots without flash as well. The colors are more true that way. How do the males do together? Do they bother each ore at all?
Any other info on your experience with them?

Mine will so far eat pretty much anything, but especially love meaty food like frozen or live brine (but which fish doesn't, really?) They aren't afraid of me at all and they poke around at plants a lot looking for edibles. I don't have any oak leaves currently, but might get a few. They supposedly love to turn over loose leaves looking for food!

 

[DrRob]

Thanks!

Dr. Rob - I'll be curious which you choose and what you think of whichever you choose. The festivums are also striking, but both are very differently shaped. This would be for your 140 L?

No, they're for the 65 gallon. It's not mentioned in my signature as it doesn't have any fish in it at the moment, just wood and plants.

 

[magpie]

New tank with a clean slate - exciting!

 

[MartinS]

Yeah, I prefer to take my shots without flash as well. The colors are more true that way. How do the males do together? Do they bother each ore at all?
Any other info on your experience with them?

Strangely enough, they get on really well and spend all the time together - you'd think they were a pair! Mine also eat anything - flake, tetra prima, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and a home made mix I feed my woodcats which contains prawns, mussels, spinach, peas and garlic.
Like you stated, they spend much time picking around the plants looking for things to eat, though last week I did find one trying to eat a tail filament from one of my Loricaria simillima! I don't know if it bit it off or the fish just dropped it.
Martin