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ALA posting -
Allotoca goslinei 3/26/08 version
(photo is attached as a WORD document. If you cannot open it, try this link:
http://www.photoshop.goodeids.com/ma...?g2_itemId=339)
Background
Allotoca goslinei is a goodeid also called the "banded Allotoca." Beginning in 1996, this fish was found almost exclusively in the Rio Potrero Grande, a tributary river of the Rio Ameca in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. One specimen was found in the immediately adjacent Rio Ameca itself so this area should not be overlooked in future collection trips. Water temperature in this part of the Mexican uplands rarely rises above 68 degrees which makes goslinei a relatively colder water fish. Water depth tends to be 6-12". pH is 7.5-8.5.
The fish was declared "Endangered" in the John Lyons report of 2005. It is now thought to be "Critically Endangered" and, possibly, extinct in the wild. The last known capture was in 2004. Hence the need to increase stocks in the hobby.
Characteristics
This is a stocky fish with a small pointed head. The dorsal fin is set way back on the body. Both males and females can have a dark spot on their flanks, but not all will show this. The fish reaches a size of only 2-2 1/2". Sexual maturity, however, can be reached when it is about half grown (as early as three months.)
Care and Feeding
A pair of these fish will do well in a 20 gallon long tank. They need lots of hiding places. Rounded rocks of various sizes to hide adults and fry can cover the bottom sides and back and there should be an abundance of plants. A. goslinei does best in multigenerational colonies and will flock breed like other goodeids once a properly balanced community is achieved. This can be achieved by putting successive spawns (after a week or two of feeding in their breeding tank) in a separate, dedicated tank so that, as the fish mature, they become used to co-habiting with young fish. The fish can, however, be bred initially in pairs. A predominance of live food is recommended which can include baby brine shrimp, blood worms, HBH Supersoft with Krill and glass worms. Flake food can be offered from time to time. More mature fish can get by on just flake and snails when not breeding during a winter rest. Feed at least two times a day.
Breeding
As previously noted, goslinei can tolerate lower temperatures in the native habitat and in garden tubs, but they seem to breed better in higher temperatures in captivity - 72-74F. When the female begins to look nicely rounded, remove her or her tank mates as tankmates can be brutal on fry. A typical spawn from a mature female can be about 30 fry. (An ALA record spawn was 67 from a large and pampered adult.)
How to Purchase
The special SMP price is $12.00 a pair of breeding-sized adults. Shipping and handling via Priority Mail is now up to $12.00. Alternatively, some pairs should be available at the ALA Convention in May in San Antonio.
If you are interested in purchasing this fish, email me at…
tcrane2@att.net
…and let me know if you want to purchase at the convention or have the fish shipped to you by a supplier. If the latter, I will put you in touch with one.
For the Record
Once you have the fish established and breeding, please send me a follow-up email to that effect. The measure of success of SMP will be our ability to show that we have significantly increased the number of hobbyists who are breeding extinct and endangered fish. Let me know if you have any questions.
Happy Fish Keeping!!!
Tom Crane
Allotoca goslinei 3/26/08 version
(photo is attached as a WORD document. If you cannot open it, try this link:
http://www.photoshop.goodeids.com/ma...?g2_itemId=339)
Background
Allotoca goslinei is a goodeid also called the "banded Allotoca." Beginning in 1996, this fish was found almost exclusively in the Rio Potrero Grande, a tributary river of the Rio Ameca in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. One specimen was found in the immediately adjacent Rio Ameca itself so this area should not be overlooked in future collection trips. Water temperature in this part of the Mexican uplands rarely rises above 68 degrees which makes goslinei a relatively colder water fish. Water depth tends to be 6-12". pH is 7.5-8.5.
The fish was declared "Endangered" in the John Lyons report of 2005. It is now thought to be "Critically Endangered" and, possibly, extinct in the wild. The last known capture was in 2004. Hence the need to increase stocks in the hobby.
Characteristics
This is a stocky fish with a small pointed head. The dorsal fin is set way back on the body. Both males and females can have a dark spot on their flanks, but not all will show this. The fish reaches a size of only 2-2 1/2". Sexual maturity, however, can be reached when it is about half grown (as early as three months.)
Care and Feeding
A pair of these fish will do well in a 20 gallon long tank. They need lots of hiding places. Rounded rocks of various sizes to hide adults and fry can cover the bottom sides and back and there should be an abundance of plants. A. goslinei does best in multigenerational colonies and will flock breed like other goodeids once a properly balanced community is achieved. This can be achieved by putting successive spawns (after a week or two of feeding in their breeding tank) in a separate, dedicated tank so that, as the fish mature, they become used to co-habiting with young fish. The fish can, however, be bred initially in pairs. A predominance of live food is recommended which can include baby brine shrimp, blood worms, HBH Supersoft with Krill and glass worms. Flake food can be offered from time to time. More mature fish can get by on just flake and snails when not breeding during a winter rest. Feed at least two times a day.
Breeding
As previously noted, goslinei can tolerate lower temperatures in the native habitat and in garden tubs, but they seem to breed better in higher temperatures in captivity - 72-74F. When the female begins to look nicely rounded, remove her or her tank mates as tankmates can be brutal on fry. A typical spawn from a mature female can be about 30 fry. (An ALA record spawn was 67 from a large and pampered adult.)
How to Purchase
The special SMP price is $12.00 a pair of breeding-sized adults. Shipping and handling via Priority Mail is now up to $12.00. Alternatively, some pairs should be available at the ALA Convention in May in San Antonio.
If you are interested in purchasing this fish, email me at…
tcrane2@att.net
…and let me know if you want to purchase at the convention or have the fish shipped to you by a supplier. If the latter, I will put you in touch with one.
For the Record
Once you have the fish established and breeding, please send me a follow-up email to that effect. The measure of success of SMP will be our ability to show that we have significantly increased the number of hobbyists who are breeding extinct and endangered fish. Let me know if you have any questions.
Happy Fish Keeping!!!
Tom Crane
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