Apisto ID

[Yonguy68]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading the forum for a while now, but this is my first post.

I'm not sure I know what this fish is, and I'd like a few explanations to be sure. I can take more pictures if necessary, let me know.

Thanks in advance

Yonguy

 

[RiC]

It's an agassizi, but which? I'm not sure. It might be what Koslowsli calls A. cf. Agassizi.
Mike will be able to tell you more :wink:

 

[Mike Wise]

I can't say if it is A. agassizii or A. gephyra from the photos.

I wrote this over 2 years ago, but it still is true"

The difference between A. gephyra & A. agassizii is not easy to determine. I have seen photos of fish from the middle Rio Negro, home to A. gephyra, that look more like A. agassizii. I have also seen photos of A. agassizii that show the lacy spotted pattern associated with A. gephyra.

So how do I decide? Well, on dead specimens I look at the breast area. A. gephyra has very few breast scales - similar to A. pertensis in this respect. On live specimens I look at the male's lateral band during threat display. On A. gephyra the lateral band is visible over its entire length from back edge of the gill cover to the root of the caudal fin. On A. agassizii the lateral band will be dark near the gill cover back toward the lateral spot. Then it fades noticably back to the caudal peduncle. From the caudal peduncle to the root of the caudal fin it darkens again. It is a good bet that if the fish shows the combination of a solid lateral band during threat display, a red margin on the dorsal fin, a tail fin with a narrow white submarginal band & lacy spotting inside the submarginal band, and fairly short tip on the dorsal fin, then it is A. gephyra. Their body color is usually not as bright either.

Brooding female A. gephyra in threat display also show a continuous lateral band, while similar A. agassizii females show only a large lateral spot. Like I said they can be hard to tell apart

 

[Yonguy68]

Great thanks to you Ric and Mike!

I'll try to take other pictures during threat display

 

[Yonguy68]

Hello all!

I've got news from the seller of this fish.

He's been caught near Amatura.

Is it possible to find gephyra on this area?

Thanks in advance.

Yonguy

 

[Ekona]

Mike, thanks for pointing out the interesting characters for determining the difference between agassizii and gephyra, I hadn't read or hear about before. After observing the obvious males of the fish Bev sent, I'd say that during threat display, the lateral line is quite visible and even pronounced along the whole length of the body from behind the gill cover through the caudal peduncle and to the root of the caudal fin. The dominant male spends a lot of time displaying to the other fish in the tank and it's lateral line remains quite dark and does not fade. This trait is also true for the fish that have the more female-like features of the bunch, that I'm hoping will become gravid and display the brighter yellow colors characteristic of females.

The thin blue-white sub-marginal band in the caudal fin with lacy patterning inside it is also quite clear in males. I'm noticing that in the smaller fish that look more female-like, the blue-white submarginal band is absent in the caudal fin, with only some light speckling, with the caudal fin being more rounded than spade-shaped. I'm wondering if the absence of the submarginal band might be a characteristic marking these as females? It's a bit confusing, because these specimens are more colorful than other female agassizii that I've seen, and would make great females, if that's what they are. Otherwise, they are just sub-dominant males, which would be sad if the whole group turns out to be males. Only time will tell.
Also, upon closer examination, some of the fish in the group have a seam on the dorsal fin that is red on the anterior part and blue toward the posterior part, so both red and blue there.
Again, whatever species the fish are, either agassizii or gephyra, they are a great looking yellow cf. that I hope I, Bev or whoever else has them might be able to breed.
Dave

 

[! Obsedge !]

WOW That is a beautiful apisto... Im looking for a pair in and around Indy, but I have yet to find any at the local fish stores and I have no idea if there are any local breeders... but I would sure love to have some.

 

[Mike Wise]

Welcome to the apisto forum. As you've found, apistos aren't commonly seen in fish stores. If you're able to get to Cincinnati OH this weekend, you will be able to check out the American Cichlid Association National Convention. There are always a lot of different species for sale and at the auction. Just google "2009 American Cichlid Association National Convention" for information.