Trifasciata Anomaly

[Jimmymud]

I have four Apistogramma Trifasciata,one is very clearly male with 2 others appear female.But the last one appears really different,it’s mostly grey but has the ability to change it’s pigmentation immediately like a cuttlefish!It can go almost black and then mottled in a millisecond,it does have blue spots on its cheeks like a male.It is more elusive and appears to be a completely different shape.It flares up and displays but has no spines,more like a uniform dorsal fin.
It was sold as a Trifasciata but to be honest I’m puzzled by it!
Can someone help identify or explain what it is please?
Photos attached of said fish and a male and a female and the strange one!

 

[MacZ]

This is not an anomaly, you got a Nannacara taenia there.

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes and they are from different areas of South America. On another note you probably will encounter problems mixing your apistos with other bottom-dwelling fish especially when they try to breed (and they will try).

 

[Jimmymud]

I bought the pair from a store online.
Does anybody know where I could find a male Nannacara Taenia for sale?
I’ve got to say I’ve fallen for this fish’s character and it’s boldness.

 

[anewbie]

I bought the pair from a store online.
Does anybody know where I could find a male Nannacara Taenia for sale?
I’ve got to say I’ve fallen for this fish’s character and it’s boldness.

Contact the store where you made the purchase and see what they say - btw if they sent you an obviously wrong species you should request a refund.

 

[Jimmymud]

Thank you yes,I’ve requested a refund.

 

[MacZ]

Quick sidenote, because I just noticed the catfish in the picture missing barbles: I would keep all fish pictured with a fine sand substrate as the minimum requirement.

 

[KenL]

This is not an anomaly, you got a Nannacara taenia there.

Interested to know why that fish is N. taenia rather than N. anomala?

 

[Jimmymud]

Quick sidenote, because I just noticed the catfish in the picture missing barbles: I would keep all fish pictured with a fine sand substrate as the minimum requirement.

The tank has fine substrate sand over half of the bottom,thank you.

 

[anewbie]

Interested to know why that fish is N. taenia rather than N. anomala?

Definitely - i had to look it up - anomala which i've owned would never turn black with fury It is an unusual fish to find (from serously fish almost never in the hobby because of its drab brown colouring); the reason i note unusual is because the trifs are almost certainly tank raised so what is this odd duck doing with tank raised trifs in the first place ?

 

[Jimmymud]

Definitely - i had to look it up - anomala which i've owned would never turn black with fury It is an unusual fish to find (from serously fish almost never in the hobby because of its drab brown colouring); the reason i note unusual is because the trifs are almost certainly tank raised so what is this odd duck doing with tank raised trifs in the first place ?

It’s a really,really interesting little character,not agressive but it flashes patterns and changes colours instantaneously with it’s chromatophores and appears pretty intelligent.I’ve asked the stockist to put me in touch with the trifasciatus breeder to find out how it came to me,will post when I know more.

 

[MacZ]

The tank has fine substrate sand over half of the bottom,thank you.

That was not clear going by the pictures.

Interested to know why that fish is N. taenia rather than N. anomala?

The patterns and how dark the fish can turn them. It goes almost black, N. anomala markings turn dark reddish-brown at most. Also the headshape is much more pointed.

 

[anewbie]

It’s a really,really interesting little character,not agressive but it flashes patterns and changes colours instantaneously with it’s chromatophores and appears pretty intelligent.I’ve asked the stockist to put me in touch with the trifasciatus breeder to find out how it came to me,will post when I know more.

I've never kept them but the related anomale nannacara i had was one of the most intelligent fish i've ever owned. It would constantly change its strategy of dealing with new situations whether it was hunting pleco fry or co-existing with kribs (not a recommended combination); i really liked that fish - it was kind of an odd duck because i got it at a local store that said it had been hobby bred. Every 'tank' raised fish i've tried to replace it (it died after 4 years); have never had the same character or even close to the same character. In truth the tank raised versions i have found much smaller and less robust and i wish they would import them (wc). They are quite plentiful in the wild i've been told but alas there seem to be no commercial interest in that part of the world.

 

[Jimmymud]

I've never kept them but the related anomale nannacara i had was one of the most intelligent fish i've ever owned. It would constantly change its strategy of dealing with new situations whether it was hunting pleco fry or co-existing with kribs (not a recommended combination); i really liked that fish - it was kind of an odd duck because i got it at a local store that said it had been hobby bred. Every 'tank' raised fish i've tried to replace it (it died after 4 years); have never had the same character or even close to the same character. In truth the tank raised versions i have found much smaller and less robust and i wish they would import them (wc). They are quite plentiful in the wild i've been told but alas there seem to be no commercial interest in that part of the world.

I’d have to agree with you on it’s intelligence quotient,for such a small fish it shows remarkable awareness and is constantly changing colours instantaneously according to it’s mood.It is elusive but shows no fear and comes right up to me when I approach the tank.

 

[Jimmymud]

That was not clear going by the pictures.


The patterns and how dark the fish can turn them. It goes almost black, N. anomala markings turn dark reddish-brown at most. Also the headshape is much more pointed.

I breed Sterbai and have dozens of them,so I presume that they’re pretty happy!

 

[MacZ]

I breed Sterbai and have dozens of them,so I presume that they’re pretty happy!

I won't open the can of worms that is Corydoracoid catfish and substrates. I just noticed the substrate in the pictures because of the Hoplisoma.
I have gone far away from assuming procreation in ornamental fish generally always means good conditions, because in my experience for every species that happily multiplies in the most averse conditions there are half a dozen that won't.

 

[Jimmymud]

I won't open the can of worms that is Corydoracoid catfish and substrates. I just noticed the substrate in the pictures because of the Hoplisoma.
I have gone far away from assuming procreation in ornamental fish generally always means good conditions, because in my experience for every species that happily multiplies in the most averse conditions there are half a dozen that won't.

You’re coming across as rather arrogant.Gatekeepers to the hobby like you are the reason people don’t gravitate towards it.It’s hard to admit that you are not the font of all fish keeping knowledge.