Sold as Apistogramma elizabethae Female

[Fynxl]

I bought this female about two weeks ago, sold as Apistogramma elizabethae, but I'm not entirely sure about the identification.

The two black lateral spots and pelvic fins seem to fit A. elizabethae. However, the caudal and dorsal fin shape, as well as the possibility of three lateral spots instead of two, make me wonder if it could be A. gephyra.

The lateral stripe almost disappears at times, revealing the spots, but frequent interactions with other fish make the coloration difficult to assess.

The fish is approximately 4–5 cm.

What do you think?

 

[Frank Hättich]

Because of the caudal pattern I'm sure that it's a male A. gephyra.

 

[Fynxl]

Thank you very much for your opinion! Someone else suggested that it could also be an Apistogramma agassizii, so I'm a little unsure now.

Are you certain that it is a male A. gephyra? I'll attach a few more pictures so you can have a closer look and hopefully confirm your identification.

I've actually been searching for A. elizabethae females for months. Unfortunately, I've only managed to find males or completely different species so far. Do you happen to know where I could obtain a female A. gephyra for this fish, as well as females for my three A. elizabethae males?

I'd really appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thank you!

 

[Frank Hättich]

Are you certain that it is a male A. gephyra?

yes

Do you happen to know where I could obtain a female A. gephyra for this fish, as well as females for my three A. elizabethae males?

unfortunately not, but if you tell us which part of the world you are from, maybe someone else can help you.

 

[Fynxl]

yes

unfortunately not, but if you tell us which part of the world you are from, maybe someone else can help you.

Germany, Bavaria.tropicwater has almost everything I need on their list, except for A. piaroa. and unfortunately, the ones they do have are only 2 to 4 cm in size.

 

[MacZ]

Try Unterwasser Freiburg and Zoobox. They also ship and they often have rarities.

Alternatively keep an eye on the stocklists of Aquarium Glaser and Ruinemanns, because most commercial fish imports from South America go through there. Usually you can expect the fish on sale there 2-4 weeks later at online vendors.

 

[Fynxl]

yes

unfortunately not, but if you tell us which part of the world you are from, maybe someone else can help you.

wie unterscheidet man Apistogramma agassizii und gephyra sicher? An der Form der Kaudale?

 

[MacZ]

wie unterscheidet man Apistogramma agassizii und gephyra sicher? An der Form der Kaudale?

Da das Forum international ist, versuch bitte bei Englisch zu bleiben.
As the forum is international, please try to stick to English.

The pattern on the caudal as far as I know, but @Frank Hättich is definitely better at describing that. I tried more than once to understand the difference.

 

[Frank Hättich]

wie unterscheidet man Apistogramma agassizii und gephyra sicher? An der Form der Kaudale?

Often, but not always, gephyra have a less spade-shaped caudal. For me the most easy way to distinguish them from agassizii is by means of the caudal pattern: gephyra have a narrower submarginal band and inside it a lace-like pattern often, but again not always, restricted to the upper half.

 

[Frank Hättich]

Btw. here Mike mentions some other features which distinguish gephyra and agassizii.