>Male specimens from northern Queensland populations can reach 60 mm and
have extremely
> long extended filaments on both the dorsal and anal fins. These filaments
usually break off
> during capture and from my experience, never re-grow or appear in captive
populations.
I have a bunch of the Ross River fish and the young un never seem to really
develop as long fins as their parents. Truthfully, I have never keep the
young fish as long as their parents (no space). However, they are (usually
at least a hundred sometimes more) cramped into a 40 gallon (152 liter)
tank. Now I figure in these conditions of high fish density the males are
ripping up each others fins to assert dominance and the nice long fins
never develop. I am sure this is a big factor. Second idea maybe calcium
or magnesium supply insufficient for this high density of fish. Of course
if I had a spare 10 (38 liter) tank I could raise another male like how my
breeders have been kept and see if the fins develop long and full..
Another difference is the young fish are in allmost freshwater compared to
the 50% that I am keeping the adult breeders.
Any ideas?
MTF
Mach T. Fukada, Editor
Note New E-mail address:
fukada at aloha.net
Honolulu Aquarium Society
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/2948/HASF.html