Astatheros Rostratus

[Alex Odesit]

Finalize my wanted list with arriving 5 A.Rostratus juvenile, they all around an inch, hopefully long life to go.
Currently in 90 gal tank with Thor. Helleri and some other non cichlids tankmates.
Any tips on A. Rostratus?
Diet, water conditions, etc?
Thanks,
Alex

[Lee Nuttall]

I haven't kept them personaly, but they're wonderful looking fish. Look forward on the progress Alex.

[chc]

Nice fish! One of my favorites!

Mine always did better with smallish food items. I feed primarily small sinkers and smallish inverts (mysis, etc.) so they can feed at their leisure from the substrate. They can be intimidated at feeding time if more active feeders are in the tank. To make sure the rostratus get enough food, I offer small sinkers for them and floaters for the more boisterous fish.


I'm no body language expert, but it seems one mate is more interested than the other!








Also, it seems there is a great difference between the lacustrine and riverine types. In my experience, the lacustrine types are MUCH taller with less spangles. The riverine type has more spangles, are more elongated (as might be expected), and aren't as olive in color.

Lago Nicaraguan:


Costa Rican riverine:

[Alex Odesit]

CHC, thanks for write up and beautiful (wow!)pictures!
Great fish. They like little machine, sifting sand non stop, very active and happy.
Couple more questions:
Are they eat veggies?
What is water temp to make them happy?

[Joe Middleton]

I've heard that they like vegetation and softer substrates (Loiselle?), but I don't think that's always the case (Heijns?). Very pretty fish, however -- and reasonably unusual.

[chc]

Alex, they do take in quite a bit of plant matter in their constant sifting in the wild (even if they are "looking" for inverts), so I make sure the pellet I use contains a good healthy amount of veggies. Also, there are some good frozen food mixes that will fit the bill.

Joe, I agree on the softer substrate. Years ago I fount that mine became noticeably more comfortable with a sandy substrate. They really need to be able to sift the particles through their gills rather than having to spit it back out if they are to be able to simulate natural behavior. I can't over stress how much of a difference the switch to sand made. Watching them sift all day long is one of the cool parts of these fish!

Chris

[Alex Odesit]

Alex, they do take in quite a bit of plant matter in their constant sifting in the wild (even if they are "looking" for inverts), so I make sure the pellet I use contains a good healthy amount of veggies. Also, there are some good frozen food mixes that will fit the bill.

Joe, I agree on the softer substrate. Years ago I fount that mine became noticeably more comfortable with a sandy substrate. They really need to be able to sift the particles through their gills rather than having to spit it back out if they are to be able to simulate natural behavior. I can't over stress how much of a difference the switch to sand made. Watching them sift all day long is one of the cool parts of these fish!

Chris

Chris & Joe, thanks for reply, I am glad to have sandy substrate in this particular tank. I come up with this idea while making my mind and researching about future tank inhabitant
Indeed it's very cool when these little guys attack the sand and buried part of their head in it! Competing with Thor. Helleri...
Alex

[Alex Odesit]

@more pictures here, little guys settle down good. Very active, not fussy about the food, spend all day long sifting through the sand and chasing each other..

[chc]

Nice tank there! Plenty of activity without much murdering!

I could watch rostratus all day...

[Alex Odesit]

Nice tank there! Plenty of activity without much murdering!

I could watch rostratus all day...

lol, good point Chris, tnx
Exactly no homicide fish, both Thor Helleri and Rostratus live in peace. Just occasional chasing , but no more damage then Diamond and Buenoes Aires tetras playing.
I have crocodiles in my 220 gal, so this particular tank is like Eden compare to it

[Scheppy]

Very nice Alex. I was thinking about getting 1 or 2 of them couple months ago thought they would fit in with my eatheaters as far as sifting substrate but was worried about aggr. Really like the A.robertsoni. Very cool looking fish

[Scheppy]

The tank looks great. Is that the 90 you got.

[Alex Odesit]

Very nice Alex. I was thinking about getting 1 or 2 of them couple months ago thought they would fit in with my eatheaters as far as sifting substrate but was worried about aggr. Really like the A.robertsoni. Very cool looking fish

Thanks Mike.
I wouldn't get 1 or 2, if possible get at least 3 or even more, they so happy to be next to each other, very tolerant to own species. Just happy, active fish, not shy at all.
And yes, it's 90 gal,the one I mention earlier to you. I'll use for grow out and then will see, I may transfer Rostratus to the bigger tank and leave 90 g for Thor Helleri.
I'll respond your pm about Tahoe now.

[Bas Pels]

As Alex said, the more, the better

I have a group of 10, which was getting too large for a 200 * 80 cm footprint tank. So I netted half out (they are fast, even faster than Vieja, and very jumpy, so netting them, be carefull) and found out I had two times 5 very shy fishes

now they are in a 290 * 80 cm footprint tank, doing great. I intend to mouve them to my big tank, 400 * 100 this summer

But, contrarily to A altifrons, they do seam to leave each other alone. I have 3 at appr 5 cm, in a raising tank (only 80 * 50 cm footprint) ant these don't mind each other (perhaps the 7 A macrantus, same size, help) contrarily to A altofrons, which killed each other in a 130 * 50 cm footprint tank

Still, as you can see, they do need space, but they are definitely worth it, being by far the most beautifull fish I ever saw

[stomper160]

I've always had my eye on these guys... I use to own Robertsoni. I always found trying to find tank mates to go with my Robertsoni difficult because the others where either to aggressive or got pushed around to the point I have to remove them. Are they my calmer? Who would make a good tank mate if I were looking to have a mixed tank? How long do these guys take to reach sexual maturity? My Robertsoni always seemed to max out at around 7.5-8 inches. Is this about the same size of the Rostratus? Well thanks in advance for sharing any of your knowledge.

[Bas Pels]

My experience with robertsoni is quite different - I find them quite peacefull - but I keep them in groupes - of 6 or more. I also may just be lucky, I don't know. I do know, however, many books say they are agressive, but don't point to any traceble experience.
The average size of my robertsoni is 15 cm - not measuring the tailfin

My rostratum are larger, and I thnik a peacefull. However, my first robertsoni often swam in pairs (as the lovebirds (agapornis parrots) do) while rostratum only pair up to breed

The first breeding attempt was after 2 years, I think. It could also be I had them 1,5 years, and they were 2.

[Alex Odesit]

Bas, indeed beautiful fish, I agree. Love to see pictures of your adults A.Rostratus when you have a chance to posted.
What is the largest of them anyway you currently have? Also would be interesting to know on what diet and feeding schedule you keep them. No doubt you have sand substrate in their tanks? .
*Stomper sorry I can't help about possible tankmates for Roberstoni, I never had chance to own them. But most information I have from fellow hobbyist is that A.Roberstoni not highly aggressive fish. One of my French/Canadian friend keep A.Roberstoni successfully with Thor Meeki, Cryptoheros Sajica and bunch of livebearers in his very limited spaced IMO tank for all of these guys, at around 300 liters.

[Bas Pels]

Alex:

I would estimate the largest male at 20 cm, 8 inches, thus

some old pictures:





Bas

[stomper160]

What would be your educated guess on Bocourti or Pearsi making good tankmates with Rostratus?

[Bas Pels]

I don't have a clue

However, if you have a tank large enough for 6 rostratum AND a pair of pearsi/bocourti, I'd advise to take 10 rostratum