Dwarf cichlid cross breeding

[Haggisman]

Ok I have a pair of cockatoo dwarfs in my planted tank along with a male gold ram.Well today I picked up a panda dwarf cichlid.I felt sorry for is since it was the last one and was being chased about by the other fish in the tank(barbs).Anyhoo after some initial agression by the cockatoo pair I have noticed that the male seems very interested in it(I'm pretty sure the panda is female).So would this just be innocent flirting or is there a possibility the 2 species can cross.

Thanks!

[ChilDawg]

There is a distinct possibility that Apistos will cross...you'd do well to move the Panda to another tank.

[ChilDawg]

Sorry, Haggisman...just not a hybrid fan here, I guess.

[Haggisman]

Thats what I was afraid of, I cant move it either since it would be a bite sized snack in my other tank.I really dont want them to cross(I know people wont believe me)but I want to get some good cockatoo stock to sell back to the lfs.

[ChilDawg]

Know any other Cichlid fans in your area? The A. nijsseni is pretty popular, so you could probably easily find a taker...

[Haggisman]

Nah all other fish people I know are into oscars, jags and the like.

I might see if I can get a male and hopefully that will solve the prob.I'm taking back the pair of amecca splendens I have since they are a tad nippy and the water does not really suit them.This should create enough territory space(hopefully).

[scott]

If you are against having hybrids why not just use the fry as feeders? Although I would wait until they breed before making any hasty decisions.

[Z Man]

I doubt very much that if they did spawn you would get any fry. Nijsseni are very soft water Apisto's and need special water conditions to have viable eggs. The Cacatuiodes on the other hand can have fry in almost any good water.

[wayne]

Have to agree with zman - the eggs likely won't hatch unless you're manipulating conditions or are very lucky.
Also apisto specie are a lot more genetically remote and dissimilar than say mbuna. This means crosses are much less likely to hatch or survive and all the crosses I've ever seen have a lot of misshapen scales, fins... These little fish are speciating at a very high rate compared to other cichlid 'groups'

[Tightdog1]

i would just leave it in there because it is very unlikely that any actual breeding with fry will begin. but only time will tell.

im with you chilldawg but i doubt they will actually cross.

[ChilDawg]

I suppose that we'll have to see, but I guess that it's not that likely.

[Tightdog1]

yes only time will tell, keep us posted HAGGISMAN

[Haggisman]

Well the females now taken to chasing the male away so I doubt there will be any eggs, well there looks like there will be cockatoo eggs soon as the females in spawning colours.