Apistogramma agassizii "Manaus"

[Rafael Akama]

Hi everyone,

I've been a member here for quite some time, but this is my first time actually posting. That's because I bought my first dwarf cichlids last Sat. :biggrin:

I bought these as Apistogramma agassizii "Manaus", but haven't found any info regarding this variety. I was wondering if my fish are A. gephyra.

Here are some pics:

Female:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/r_akama/apistos/female1.jpg

Male:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/r_akama/apistos/male1.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/r_akama/apistos/male2.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/r_akama/apistos/male3.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/r_akama/apistos/male4.jpg

Male confronting his image on the aquarium glass (showing much better colours):
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/r_akama/apistos/male5.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/r_akama/apistos/male6.jpg

What do you guys think? Are these really A. agassizii?

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

It could be a gephyra, not confident on that though!!!

As to the use of the name 'Manaus', most of the fish I bring in from Brazil are shipped through either Manaus or Belem, so I would take that as the shipping location rather than the collection location.

Andrew

 

[Mike Wise]

Your fish, in threat display, show all of the characteristics seen on A. gephyra. The caudal pattern, however, is much more like that of A. agassizii. I have seen photos of agassizii-complex forms from the Rio Demini & Rio Caurés, in the middle Rio Negro, that are similar to your fish. The lower & middle Rio Negro is the home of A. gephyra, but A. agassizii is known from the lower Negro. I honestly cannot identify your fish, or the others, as either A. gephyra or A. agassizii. I believe that these fish are transitional forms, between the two scientifically described species. This only raises the question: Is A. gephyra a true biological species of only a geographic population of A. agassizii (another fascinating question for the genus).

 

[Rafael Akama]

Thanks guys. agassizii or gephyra, it's been really interesting to watch their behaviour. Dwarf cichlids are definitely fascinating fish.

Thanks again.