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Post by corycatwoman on Jul 22, 2009 14:33:19 GMT -5
i read up on my bumble bee and aparently they change to a dark brown to black when they are dominant and even females have the ability to change aswell because where they are located in the wild is near a large dark cave where they swim with large catfish and pick parasites off the catfish. but during spawning the catfish spawn inside the cave to lay there eggs so both male and female bumblebees will turn black like if they were to rob a mansion of prized jewels but instead they sneak into the cave fill up on catfish eggs and run out of the cave and change back to there yellow bars and pretend nothing happens.
if this is there typical behavior in the wild it leads me to some questions of mine.
if mine only changes during night time or when the light is off on the tank does that mean i have a subdominant male or female? or is it still a waiting game to find out?
i took some pictures the quality is poor and he may be in a blurr from the shock of the flash with the lights in the room and tank off.
but ill let you all see the camelion in action!
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Post by corycatwoman on Jul 22, 2009 15:23:50 GMT -5
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Post by jonv on Sept 21, 2009 17:17:05 GMT -5
The behavior listed I have not come across that. The only aspects of catfish and Africans I am aware of is attempts of a Tangyangikan Catfish which will dive in the spawning of some cichlid species in order to dupe the female into holding eggs of the catfish, which hatch earlier then the cichlid and eventually the only offspring that comes out are catfish, not the cichlid. I believe this to be Synodontis Intteruptus or something like that.
Anyways, as far as the color change aspect goes, take for example the Metriclimea Lombardoi (Kenyi). It is by far not uncommon at all for females to take on a male look, even go so far as to induce other females to spawn with them as well. I wouldn't be surprised to find other Malawi Mbuna which do this considering the highly aggressive aspects of Mbuna in general. It probably would be best when it comes to Mbuna, to employ a fairly large tank if growing out unsexed groups in order to weed out subdominant males which may have a female look, OR just buy known male/females of the species you wish.
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Post by murdock6701 on Sept 22, 2009 22:12:49 GMT -5
good to see you back Jon
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Post by Carl on Sept 23, 2009 10:08:35 GMT -5
Ditto! Carl
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Post by bikeguy33 on Sept 23, 2009 15:08:07 GMT -5
i third the sentiment
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 23, 2009 15:09:11 GMT -5
Nice to see you back!
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