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Nothos - names and aggression
Julian Haffegee wrote......
>
>Subject: notho naming questions
>
>>>
>>>> * Nothobranchius albimarginatus Watters, Wildekamp & Cooper,
1998
>>>> * Nothobranchius annectens Watters, Wildekamp & Cooper, 1998
>>>> Deutsche Killifisch Gemeinschaft Journal, 30 (3): 52-63.
>>>
>Who named these fish? (Do the names and
>date above refer to the collecter or namer).
>
The describers and authors of the article named the fish (this is
usually the case). In this instance, the authors also happen to be
the collectors of the type specimens (which is not always the case).
>
>Do annectens and albimarginatus have literal
>meanings (white edges?).
>
The etymology relating to these species names is as follows:
N. annectens - From the Latin annectere = to connect; in reference to
the position of this species forming a link between N. guentheri on
the island of Zanzibar and the other species of the N. guentheri
group living on the mainland. An adjective. This represents the
mainland species of the group that is probably most closely related
to N. guentheri itself (in our opinion, that is).
N. albimarginatus - From the Latin words albus = white, and marginis
= margin; in reference to the color pattern of the males (distinctive
white margins to the dorsal and anal fins). An adjective.
>
>What techniques did they/you use to decide
>that these fish were their own species and
>not too similar to something else?
>
By studying the characteristics of the wild specimens (e.g.
meristics, morphology, color pattern, behavior, geographic
distribution, etc.) and the comparison of such characteristics to
those of other Notho species, especially those that were deemed to be
closely related.
>
>Is the article in DKG journal in German , if so
>does it get published elsewhere in a few months?
>
Yes, the article is in German, as all articles in the DKG Journal
are. The article does not have to be published elsewhere in a
different language for the descriptions to be valid, if that is what
you are asking. However, in this case we are preparing an English
version that will, in due course, be offered for publication in
another journal, although that may take some time.
Chris Graseck wrote.....
>Subject: More questions about Nothos.
>
>........My biggest concern at this point is aggression.
>Is N. rachovii a particularly aggressive fish?
>
Relatively speaking, N. rachovii is not as aggressive as many other
Nothos but they certainly can be aggressive to the point where the
females can suffer fatal damage.
ALL Nothos are aggressive but to different degrees depending on the
species and often also on individual specimens. Some males can be
real rogues and destroy females in short order, while others, of the
same species, can be relatively well behaved. You just have to be
aware of this, watch the fish very carefully and separate them when
necessary. And, of course, anyone who has kept wild Nothos will know
that they generally tend to be far more aggressive than tank-raised
specimens of the same species.
The best way to deal with aggression in most Nothos is to raise and
breed them in groups (e.g. 5-6 males and 10-12 females) and do not at
any time separate them. (For example, if you take one male out and
keep him on his own for a week or two and then put him back with the
rest I guarantee you will have problems). Raise them together as fry
and as they grow and mature remove those that you don't need or want
until all you have left in the tank is your select breeding group.
That is not to say there will not be any fighting in the group but
they do get used to each other if raised together. Also, with a group
the aggression is spread around (although the less dominant males and
the smaller females will still be picked on) and the sparring between
the males will draw their attention away from the females to some
extent. This doesn't work with all Nothos (e.g. it won't with N.
ocellatus) but it is the method that I try to use whenever possible.
Another obvious advantage is a larger gene pool. Of course, it does
mean that larger tanks will be needed (I use a lot of 10 and 15
gallon tanks for such groups).
Incidentally, if I have limited numbers of females, I commonly use a
reverse ratio of males to females and having a relatively larger
number of males does not mean that the females will be beaten up any
more than usual. In fact, it often has the opposite effect because
the males are so busy scrapping with each other that the don't pay as
much attention to the females. I have a number of tanks where that
situation prevails at present. For example in each of two of these
cases I have about 4 females to about 12 males.
>
>Can a pair or trio be kept in a 5 gallon aquarium.
>
Yes, certainly, but watch the females carefully for signs of damage.
__________________________________________________
Brian R. Watters
University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
Ph: (306) 584-9161 (home); (306) 585-4663 (work)
Fax: (306) 585-5433
E-mail: bwatters at sk_sympatico.ca