A. ortegai identification

[TeeeeRav]

So I was sold five a. ortegai, was told they were wild caught from Peru. Seller didn’t know where in Peru. In the 75 gal there are two very distinct dominant males, one female, and two I’m not sure on. The most dominant male and female have bred and are protecting fry. The two non-dominant ones are always hiding, and have the same coloration. Would this be a female with a little blue coloring, or male that is not a. ortegai? Also, would I be correct to assume the male is A91 a.ortegai (papagei) from TomC’s website? Thanks!

 

[MacZ]

The male on the second picture is very likely an A. ortegai. Looks very similar to my A. cf ortegai "Pebas".

So it is at least quite sure they are from the regani complex and likely A. ortegai. Can't get closer, it took me a while to be sure what exactly my ortegai are.

Mike Wise should know.

 

[TeeeeRav]

I’ll try to get some better pictures tonight. I’m new to apistos and didn’t realize all the confusion/opinions on what is ortegai and what isn’t. It’s all fascinating

 

[MacZ]

Just lately I read an article in a german magazine about the variability of A. ortegai. There is a whole lot of subgroups and forms of these fish.

 

[Mike Wise]

If your fish (and I know you wrote that you don't know) were collected from the type locality of A. ortegai near Pebas, then you could have a merry mix of species. The type locality was contaminate with the holotype form from the middle Rio Ampiyacu by local collectors. Photos of the brooding female will help ID this breeding pair, at least.

 

[TeeeeRav]

First image is of the brooding female. Second image is of the second unknown sex

 

[Mike Wise]

First photo: female A. ortegai (note: only 2 lateral spots).

Second photo: female A. cf. ortegai (Pebas) (note: a more triangular caudal patch, as oppose to a 'double caudal patch on A. ortegai; also will display at least 4 lateral spots in brood dress).

 

[TeeeeRav]

I was hopingthat was the case, I appreciate you responding.

I was surprised to see they even bred in my water, it’s about 140ppm GH according to the API test kit, with a pH of 7.8. There are 7 fry from why I can see. They all seem to be growing good with full bellies. Would there be I’ll effects in the fry from these water parameters? Anything I could read said these fish are acidic soft water fish and wouldn’t breed in water like mine.