Ataeniobius Toweri

[diburning]

I just bought a pair of wild caught Ataeniobius toweri. They are CRITICALLY ENDANGERED in the wild and are currently on the endangered species list (entered in 1996 I beleive). The person who caught them was the livebearer expert Rit Forcier.

I was wondering if anyone had ever kept any of these and if Neale could give me some background info and maybe what they are worth (so I can think about how much I can invest in giving the pair their own tank etc. Right now they are sharing a tank with some gudgeons). Rit sold them because he said that they didn't like his water (he sells any fish that doesn't like his water instead of changing the chemistry of his water)

they are too fast to take pics of though.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Ooo, lucky you, I've been wanting those forever

 

[Darkmoon Bettas]

I just bought a pair of wild caught Ataeniobius toweri. They are CRITICALLY ENDANGERED in the wild and are currently on the endangered species list (entered in 1996 I beleive). The person who caught them was the livebearer expert Rit Forcier.

I was wondering if anyone had ever kept any of these and if Neale could give me some background info and maybe what they are worth (so I can think about how much I can invest in giving the pair their own tank etc. Right now they are sharing a tank with some gudgeons). Rit sold them because he said that they didn't like his water (he sells any fish that doesn't like his water instead of changing the chemistry of his water)

they are too fast to take pics of though.

What kind of water DO they like? I've been interested in some myself.

 

[nmonks]

Dawes says these are basically like Ameca splendens in requirements, except to avoid cool water but to lower the temperature slightly in winter to give them a resting time. Looking at the stats in the book, I'm guessing he means about 26-29 C for breeding, and 24-26 C in winter.

Looks like a nice fish. Will try and find out more.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[helterskelter]

I've currently got two males here!!!!!

These are a real tropical fish, comeing from the sulpherus lakes of centeral mexico and the average temp is 80 oF but they will happily live between 70-82 oF

These fish adapt quite quickly to hard tap water and mine are doing fine here (although their male's)

The females will drop fry evert 6-8 weeks and the fry are a good size and do fine with the parents.

I used to have quite a lot of these fish and again like most livebearers, keeping in groups of 4-6 fish are a must for breeding.

 

[diburning]

I've currently got two males here!!!!!

These are a real tropical fish, comeing from the sulpherus lakes of centeral mexico and the average temp is 80 oF but they will happily live between 70-82 oF

These fish adapt quite quickly to hard tap water and mine are doing fine here (although their male's)

The females will drop fry evert 6-8 weeks and the fry are a good size and do fine with the parents.

I used to have quite a lot of these fish and again like most livebearers, keeping in groups of 4-6 fish are a must for breeding.

wow! I have heard from the collector (rit forcier) that they are really hard to breed in captivity

 

[helterskelter]

I kept mine at around 78-80oF and over wintered at 70oF

And breed them many times. Keeping in groups is a must though and the same for alother goodeaids as well.

I feed plenty of live foods, like daphina, grindel worm, and newly hatched brine shrimp. With a good quilty flake as well.

The fry are a stunning size with these fish and fine with the adults.

 

[diburning]

right now I have my hands full with ameca splendens. I have more ameca splendens fry than any other fish in my house!

And neale, any chance of you coming back to the USA?? (was Nebraska that boring?) MY club could pay you to come in and speak

 

[dwarfgourami]

helterskelter, if you ever hear of anyone who's got these for sale....

 

[helterskelter]

I got main from gary.

He's got 4 males and I've got 2!!!!!
Dam typical with rare fish.

Doing talks is something i would like to do do but sadily I to shy to do that!!!!

 

[diburning]

I love them!! the male has settled in and has a really nice blue tail.

 

[diburning]

so... does anyone have any more info on it??

 

[helterskelter]

what stuff are u wanting to now?

 

[fish48]

so... does anyone have any more info on it??

As your fish are wild caught it may take some to get them to breed. Give them a well planted tank This will help the fish feel more secure. When Breeding set a temperature of about of 76f they will need plenty of live food. the adults will probably eat the first lot of fry as this is your only pair best to remove the fry. Grow them on for two or three weeks. And put a few fry back with the adults and see how they get on together. once they get used to having baby fish around them they should leave the next brood alone as long as they are well fed and some plants for the fry to hide in. I have kept them between 62f -78f. When breeding best temp-72f-78f. broods are born every 6-8 weeks they can have as many as 40 fry but they normally have up to about 20.
Remarks
Ataeniobius toweri are peaceful fish.
They need plenty of live food.
This is the only goodeid that would do well at a high temperature.
They do well when kept in a 3 foot tank
Regular partial water changes should be undertaken

 

[diburning]

I talked to the collector (Rit Forcier) and he said that they do better between 68-77 F

I don't plan on breeding them right now though. I'll move the other fish out when I see that the female is gravid.