Altum Angels anyone....

[wildthing]

this one was the size of an adult discus.

[Ryan]

Lauren,

I think what are often referred to as "Peruvian altums" are actually scalare, also known as Peruvian scalare. They are not altums, but a form of scalare that have altum characteristics, such as the notched forehead. If you look for "Peruvian scalare" pictures online you will probably find a lot of fish like the one you mentioned in your post. They are fairly common.

If I'm wrong I hope David or another angel enthusiast corrects me, lol.

Ryan

[wildthing]

[quote author=Ryan Smith link=board=22;threadid=20659;start=30#msg215257 date=1096022927]
Lauren,

I think what are often referred to as "Peruvian altums" are actually scalare, also known as Peruvian scalare. They are not altums, but a form of scalare that have altum characteristics, such as the notched forehead. If you look for "Peruvian scalare" pictures online you will probably find a lot of fish like the one you mentioned in your post. They are fairly common.

If I'm wrong I hope David or another angel enthusiast corrects me, lol.

Ryan
[/quote]

I agree, that is ( maybe) what the pic above is ..I caught it in Lago Tefe....it is not an altum.

[jaydoc]

The link in Lauren's post supports what DW and Ryan are saying about Peruvian Scalare being mis-named Peruvian Altum.

[Lauren]

Ryan,
That was my point! LOL Maybe I shouldve said that in my post

If you read the articles on 'Peruvian Altums' it says just that, it is not an altum at all but a scalare with some charactaristics of altum shape.

DW,
IMO looking at the stripes I would say that that may be what the picture is a 'peruvian altum' or another type of scalare. It doesnt have the redish/yellow hue & wide striped pattern of a real Altum.

Lauren

Al BrewMaster

Those are some gorgeous silvery looking you got there!

Do you breed them? Are they available for purchase? ;D Just asking. I got an itch for a third and fourth tankie. *Angie*

[raglanroad]

has anyone found documented & varified proof of anyone witnessing them spawning in captivity?

http://www.finarama.com/tba/chronicles/fornback.htm

-miket 8)

This question does have an answer. The Altum has been bred quite a few times. Perhaps omitting some, there is a list of breeders starting with Jim Robinson,Canada, in '92. Sven Fornback, Frank Aguirre, Horst LInke, Robert Deutschman, Rich Smarciarz, breeders in Japan, and other Asian countries. Ji9m Robinson bred them in 92. He is open and willing to share details. Frank Aguirre bred Altums in his Mexican facility starting in early 90's and continuing about monthly forthe year. He has documented the breedings extremely well. Another breeder in Japan has his f1 Altums starting to spawn, but they ate the first batch. His wilds continue to spawn. Japanese auctions have tank -raised Altum for sale regularly. I personally know both Frank Aguirre and Jim Robinson. In fact, both belong to the same local fish club ! So give those fish a chance, you might be very surprised !

[Moon]

Which fish club is that?

[raglanroad]

Which fish club is that?

Hi, Moon! The Brampton Aquarium Club in Brampton, Ontario, Canada- not too far from you !! You will also find Bob Wilson ( North American Discus Society) at that club, Discus man since the 50's ! So at the last presentation, we had Frank Aguirre, Jim Robinson, and Bob Wilson together in one club ! Frank Aguirre was booked for a presentation at the Hamilton club You might check if it has already happened or not. don't know. Dave

[raglanroad]

[quote author=Mike_T link=board=22;threadid=20659;start=0#msg210844 date=1093959481]
has anyone found documented & varified proof of anyone witnessing them spawning in captivity?

http://www.finarama.com/tba/chronicles/fornback.htm

-miket 8)

This has been the topic of extensive conversation within the angelfish community ... particularly on the Angelfish Forum II website (though I can't access it today for some reason ... ?). T

There have ONLY been a handful of successful spawns verified in the hobby ... maybe only 2 or three people.

here have been several articles written in Tropical Fish Hobbiest (TFH) about spawns ... a Japanese hobbiest documented a successful spawning 10 (?) years ago, and another fellow from Canada claimed to have spawned a pair ... though the evidence is lacking ... a friend of mine tried to talk to this guy, and got a lot of run-around.

Horst Linke, noted german author and fish keeper (many books about Cichlids), was supposed to have bred these fish. I actually engaged in a cyber conversation with him in the early 90's on Compuserve ... I didn't know who he was and thought he was fabracating this. However, it appears he has been successful, though there isn't much on the market in regards to these Fx fish. One would assume that successful spawning would get more press ... but ???

There are many expert angelfish breeders, notibly Steve Rybicki of Angels Plus, who have attempted to spawn this species. No success ... Steve's theory is that water conditions need to be "just right" for eggs to hatch, but no one knows what "just right" is.

There have been a handful of people who have gotten a pair of altums to spawn, but can't hatch the eggs or raise the babies.

Also, there now appears to be Scalares that look very similar to Altums that have been caught in larger quantities and imported recently ... could these be the fish that are actually being spawned instead of a real Altum?

I have 10 Altums in a 125 gallon tank that I've been raising for 4 years. Sometime in the next year or 2 I would like to set up a REAL BIG (500 gallon) tank which I hope to duplicate Orinoco River conditions, right down to the rainy/dry seasons. maybe this will trigger spawning and success?

Jeff[/QUOTE]Hi, Jeff. Sharing info is what will lead to widespread success, and those who have done it are willing to share.(for instance Frank's production of 240 fry artificial rearing vs. 10 fry for parent-raised, the exact pH he used, age, diet, etc.including photos.You might compare your Altum with Frank Aguirre's f 1 to verify specie.) Please find out more about Jim Robinson, .. Jim is a specialist in difficult to breed species, a true expert, very friendly and helpful. Dave

[Tad]

Dave,
Interesting information on the Altum spawns....I would personally love to see your altums in the 125

regards,
Tad

[raglanroad]

Dave,
Interesting information on the Altum spawns....I would personally love to see your altums in the 125

regards,
Tad

Thanks, Tad. But perhaps I wasn't communicating clearly. The Altums you are referring to must be Jeff Richard's Altums. I was attempting to give information on the situation regarding the Altum spawns, and the successful people so far.. ( I have 10 young Altum myself, will post pics when I get a digital camera.) Dave

[Tad]

Dave,
My Bad ....fighting a head cold and nothing is registering well today LOL..Heres my Altums

11 in a 60 growout

thanks for providing some interesting reading on the breeding of Altums,
Tad

[raglanroad]

Hey, Tad. Mine look just like that !

[aloha_discus]

Tad they are looking Great. Keep posting pics of them Beauties.

Ike