A visit to Mark 'Microman' Breeze

[a.d.wood]

As followers of the forum will be awareTom C and Mark visited Peru last month and Mark was very fortunate to bring some Apisto's back with him (and of course Tom took some home to Norway as well!).

I popped over through the week to get some photographs as there a couple of species Mark has brought back that I would consider new to the UK hobby along with some other very attractive Apisto's that we do see every know and again. I'll need to go back to photograph some more of the species as not all of the were playing 'ball' for the camera!!

First up, Apistogramma cf. luelingi from Puerto Maldonado. I think this falls into the bracket of a 'first time in the UK'.

For those of you with the Datz Sonderhoft Apistogramma book, it's under A196. A very attractive fish (part of the Apistogramma cacatuoides group) with the male showing lots of yellow over the head area. Interesting to note the female has almost 2 lateral spots on one side and what has to be one of the smallest lateral spots I have seen an Apisto on the other side. Enjoy...

The pair:

The male:

The female:

I've photographs from another couple of species that I neeed to process then you will find them posted here.

Andrew

 

[a.d.wood]

The next installment, this time a species rarely seen in the UK, Apistogramma huascar from Galvez.

The keen eyed will note that this fish looks similar to Apistogramma atahualpa, well it is but with A. huascar males have a lyrate caudal fin. Again for those with Datz look up A177, Apistogramma sp. Sunpin/Sunrise was named A. huascar by Uwe Römer in 2006. To continue the theme, Huascar was the brother of Atahualpa, the last Inca ruler.

The problem of using a mirror in the tank to get the fish displaying is evidenced here, some fish get that excited that any debris in the tank gets whipped up into the water column. Can't win sometimes!!

Andrew

 

[a.d.wood]

Now for a species that is more common in the UK, maybe not this variant though!!

Apistogramma barlowi 'Rojo / Yahuasyacu' (A174 in Datz).

One of the things that stands out with this variant is the colour of the males face when he is displaying, lips and throat area become very dark. Just look for yourself:

Prior to being scientifically described one of the names given to this species was Apistogramma sp. Brustband/Breastband, thew following images of the female clearly demonstrate the trait that gave rise to the name. Also notice the difference in the facial expression when the female gives her gular flare, I'll need to try and get a head on photo of this one of these days to show just how effective this threat display is;

Andrew

 

[a.d.wood]

Continuing with fish brought back from Peru by Mark (change of fish house for the next couple of species though) we move to the Apistogramma nijsseni group with Apistogramma sp. Oregon (A 182 in Datz).

I like this group of fish a lot with the males displaying a lot of blue through the body and the females (when in breding condition) showing stunning yellow and black markings.

The male displaying to the mirror (they never learn!);

And his young lady, sadly not in breeding coloration yet;

 

[a.d.wood]

And possibly the best till last!! (well at least until I get back over to Mark's to photograph some of the other fish he brought back).

Subject of a guessing game on the Amazon trip thread (in this forum) of Mark and Tom, the (very) colourful Apistogramma sp. Winkelfleck Dunkel (A45 in Datz).

The colours on the male are just stunning, enjoy for yourselves;

And his female, like the Apistogramma sp. Oregon she has yet to colour up as well;

Andrew

 

[RLOPES]

Very nice photos, and funtastic fishes.

 

[dfea]

All I can say is WOW!

- Dan

 

[animalmgc]

thumbs up thanx for sharing

 

[tato]

Thanks a lot for sharing, beautiful fishes and photos!
Regards.

 

[nicos apistos]

oregon

What is the big differnece between th ap. oregon and ap. panduro??

 

[hapaluku]

WOW...beautiful fish..very very beautiful.

 

[a.d.wood]

What is the big differnece between th ap. oregon and ap. panduro??

Apistogramma sp. Oregon > males display vertical banding on the body, females lateral spot shifted upwards are a couple of differences for starters.

Andrew

 

[bigbird]

may i say...hats off...small beautiful and stunning...cheers jk

 

[Hudson Ensz]

Wow stunning collection!