This is one of the SA's I have spawned.
First thing you need to find out, do you have Mikrogeophaegus altispinoSA or altispinoSUS
What's the difference?
Behaviourally, none. Size wise and patterning wise, a little. First off, Altispinosus typically have two or three lateral (side) splotches. Altispinosa only have one, and it is usually much better defined.
Additionally, the body color of the latter (altispinosa) is typically more steadfast grey, as opposed to the (us) flashes of purple green and yellow.
Altispinosa also grow taller bodied and longer, maxing out at often over seven inches. Call me a liar if you like. I have seen such a specimen at a local breeder's warehouse.
Altispinosas, conversely, in your size tank, will not reach five inches.
Both species are impossible to sex visually. The only visual differences are in the breeding tube (Fatter and more opaque in females, thinner and translucent in males) and, occasionally, in fin extensions.
Both sexes will develop impressive extensions if well fed but males will become MUCH larger.
Unlike in the Blue Ram, M. ramirezi, longer dorsal spines ont he first four rays of the dorsal fin do not denote sexual dimorphism.
Fighting, as you are experiencing, is often a first sign of mating. Females will rigorously test males. Quite often the female is by and large the agressor in these situations. Once they do (if they do) spawn, they will select a very large, flat rock, and begin cleaining it thoroughly. A good way to tell the sexes (other than, of course, seeing which fish actually lays eggs and which excretes sperm) is to watch the fish when they are courting. A female will often force activity on a male, such as instructing him to clean a rock for her and then beating up on him whenever he is distracted. These forced tasks extend to everything, from defending the nest to gathering food for the fry. The female will push the male towards a desired object to be tasked somehow, and then dance to him (seemingly speaking in fishinese). The male will then commence the activity.
Whenever I syphoned the bottom of the tank my pair was in, the female would dance and push the male toward the syphon. If ever he backed down from attacking the plastic tube, she would beat him for a week, not allow him food, or allow him near the fry and/or eggs.
This fish is very easy to spawn. I have written a very comprehensive articel at
www.pnaquaria.com (see under ARTICLES) about how to spawn them.
YOU MUST have alkaline water in the range of 7.4 to 7.6
generally, a Ph of 7.6 and a Gh og 9-12 will make altispinosus spawn almost instantly, given they have enough fat and protein in their diet. These water parameters combined with a lack of mean tank mates, low nitrates, and lots of bloodworms and high quality foods, will guarantee a spawn.
Clutches can be massive, numbering 200 for a 2" female and up to 300 for a 4". The eggs develop fungus easily so salt and a powerhead are recommended.
In both species, peculiarly, light will disfigure the young. The eggs, from the time laid, and the young, until three months old, should be kept under ONE incandescant bulb, only bright enough to see their food. Fish grown under light for the first months ALWAYS throw bent spines. The cause for this is as of yet unknown, but it is very well documented.
GOOD LUCK.
