LA
We started scoping Keo's flowerhorns back in mid-February. This
series of shots takes place June 8, 2006. We concentrated on the
larger ones this time. Most of his pairs were in spawning mode.
LA
Back in February these Texas x Flowerhorn crosses were little more than
wigglers. Some 500 or 600 fry survived. Keo tried to give me
100 or so. I recommended he call the Second Avenue Bait Shop
instead. He hopes they develop into red Texas cichlids. Lots
of luck, Keo.
LA
Meanwhile, here's a six-inch male (female behind) carefully working up
this flower pot water holder. These make very practical spawning
sites. Easy to clean and store. Also, if you drop one in the
tank, it won't go thru the bottom like a rock would.
LA
Here's the female protecting her future egg site from inquiring
photographers. The water is a bit murky due to excess floating
debris but ...
LA
Here's Keo at the other end of their tank making a massive water change.
The pair totally ignores him. They are concentrating on their
spawning activities.
LA
The male shows off constantly. But let's move on.
LA
Talk about murky water. Upstairs by Keo's computer, this male is
surrounded by hundreds of fry. They're just barely free-swimming
with many of the fry still attached to the clay object below.
LA
Here's the female with more fry. Keo said he panicked at first
because they moved the eggs to where he couldn't find them. Looks
like they're fine except for the water.
LA
This gold female flowerhorn insists on beating the tar out of the male
below. We can see her breeding tube. She's ready for some
action. By the way, most of Keo's breeding tanks were 55 or larger.
LA
She beats on this equal-sized male (six inches) when she can get at him.
Keo keeps them separated with a handmade "egg crate" divider made from a
fluorescent light grid. These divider permit visual and chemical
communications between the sexes and brings most pairs into spawning mode.
. However, when she knocks down the grid, she still beats on him.
LA
Nice color on this three-inch loner. No head bump yet. He's
still a youngster.
LA
Here's another pair separated by another egg crate divider. Not much
red on either sex. They look more like their trimaculatus side of
the family.
LA
Both male and female are six inches. I can't tell the sexes on these
two. No massive bump on either specimen. However, the nuchal
bump is not a reliable sexing guide.
LA
Here's a 10-inch male getting ready to spawn.
LA
His female's just as big and almost as colorful.
LA
They're starting to talk things over. Both are colorful -- female a
little less. Interesting markings on both sexes.
LA
Male still on the left. Both are equally interested in spawning but
still in the planning stage.
LA
They totally ignore observers and camera flashes.
LA
Most American cichlids lock lips and roil the waters.
LA
These two approach the situation in a more civilized manner.
LA
We bid adieu to the female and adjourn for lunch at Nut Pob.
© 2006
LA Productions
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