Archocentrus Octofasciatus, Centrarchus, Spinosissimus

[neesejohn]

Okay, I want to to know the defining characteristics of this group. What do these fish have in common, other than being cichlids?

Because as of right now, it looks to me as if these fish are just in here because there's no other place to put them.

And lastly, A. Spinosissimus seems to me to belong with the Cryptoheros. I am wrong in this?:D

[Dean Hougen]

John,

You are right that these fish are not very similar to one another and that they were generally regarded as being in Archocentrus because people weren't sure where else to put them.

Currently, many people regard octofasciatus as belonging in Rocio (as Rocio octofasciata with an 'a' at the end, perhaps along with a couple of very similar species).

As for Cryptoheros, it was rather poorly defined but a key characteristic was a small number of anal fin spines, whereas Archocentrus spinosissimus has quite a few.


Dean

[bobrfish]

In addition to what Dean said concerning octofasciatus,

Cichlids removed to Cryptoheros by Allgayer in 2001 were seperated from Archocentrus for two reasons. As Dean stated there are fewer anal fin spines but the second key is Cryptoheros spawn in caves or semi protected locations, hidden or crypt like.

A. spinosissimus and A. archocentrus lay eggs in open often hanging clusters on leaves and wood. Wigglers arising from eggs laid on rock or other areas are moved to hanging on leaves and wood if the eggs were not laid there in first place. And as Dean stated these cichlids have more anal fin spines than Cryptoheros.

[Dean Hougen]

Good point about the breeding differences, Bob.

I enjoyed seeing "fry hanging" with my Archocentrus centrarchus many years ago when I bred them. Apparently they are more apt to do that in low oxygen conditions. My tanks must have been sufficiently lowly oxygenated!


Dean