Apistogramma Agassizi Tefe or sp. Tefe

[bchai]

Hi
I just purchase a pair of these Apistogrammas on aquabid. I need some identification to whether these are agassizi Tefe or sp. Tefe.
http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/closed.cgi?view_closed_item&fwapisto1424200027

 

[Mike Wise]

The big male is A. sp. Tefé. I can't see the other fish well enough.

 

[bchai]

Thanks Mike, I just got the pair today and they are indeed sp. Tefe. The male does have the distinctive wavy bands.

 

[rdrooster]

What is the difference between the two and what does the sp stand for? Sorry for the ignorance.

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes they are 2 different species. Cross breeding the fish results in poor viability of egg and fry, weak specimens, usually sterile with deformed scales and fins. The differences are very distinct. It has been described on the forum many times. Do a search for the differences.

 

[deliriouz]

Hi Mike, I was told this is an agasizii, but it looks like a sp. Tefe to me. What do you think?

 

[Mike Wise]

Picture isn't great TBH. My guess is that it is A. cf. agassizii (Netz).

 

[deliriouz]

Took another pic...I must be looking at the wrong horizontal line!

 

[Jonathan A]

What is the difference between the two and what does the sp stand for? Sorry for the ignorance.

The "sp." stands for species, it is used when a species has yet to be officially described. A. sp. Tefe is in the Agassizii-group, but is not the same species as A. Agassizii.

 

[rdrooster]

Thanks Jonathan. I appreciate the explanation.

 

[Mike Wise]

Your male show dark margins around the entire scale, below the lateral band. This 'pine cone' appearance is diagnostic of the populations of A. cf. agassizii (Netz).

A. sp. Tefé show dark margins only along the bottom margin of the scales. This forms a wavy horizontal line.

 

[deliriouz]

Thanks Mike for the explanation.