Apistogramma or Benitochromis nigrodorsalis

[Jimkel]

Hi all I recently purchased the fish below, The store assistant told me they were Apistogramma but he was unsure of the species, so he offered me them very cheap, I couldnt refuse!

Anyway he sole me what he claimed was 1 male and 3 females, perfect, only now Im having doubts about the species as someone suggested they were juvinile Benitochromis nigrodorsalis, an African Cichlid.

So please, please can anyone here help me ID these fish, if they are African im afraid I'm gonna have to return them to the store, as they wont be very happy in my Blackwater setup.

The first two are of the "male" the last is of two of the 3 "Females"

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/emmzie87/male1.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/emmzie87/maleDorsalrear.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/emmzie87/Females.jpg

Another of the "Male" sorry bout the quality

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/emmzie87/newapisto.jpg

You might wanna have a look at the bottom of this page:

http://www.african-cichlid.com/Nigrodorsalis.htm

In case your unfamilure with Benitochromis nigrodorsalis.

Thanks all

 

[aquaticclarity]

I can't access the page. Can you try posting the photos through photobucket or another free host?

The good news is Benitochromis need soft acid water and should be just fine in a black water set up. The bad news is that most Benitochromis get big. My larger B. nigrodorsalis are easliy 6" fish. Beautiful animals, but they need space...a LOT more then any Apisto. out there.

Jeff

 

[Jimkel]

Done, Check the new links on my original post. Thanks for the prompt reply

 

[aquaticclarity]

It's hard to say for sure what those fish are! They aren't B. nigrodorsalis, for sure. There is a small possibility that they are a Benitochromis, but they look more like a Central American cichlid. Sharper photos of the head/mouth would be helpful. And how big are the fish...3-4" (7-8cm)?

Jeff

 

[aquaticclarity]

I should also add they aren't an Apisto.

Jeff

 

[Jimkel]

It's hard to say for sure what those fish are! They aren't B. nigrodorsalis, for sure. There is a small possibility that they are a Benitochromis, but they look more like a Central American cichlid. Sharper photos of the head/mouth would be helpful. And how big are the fish...3-4" (7-8cm)?

Jeff

No whatever they are they are juvinile, the one I think is male is only about 1.7 inches, the females are smaller, Ill try get a sharp pic of the head and mouth for ya. Thanks a million.

 

[Jimkel]

I should also add they aren't an Apisto.

Jeff

are you certain?? Then they may be a species I know nothing about I must admit the first thing I noticed about them
(although I beleived they were Apistogramma) is that the mouth looked a little odd when compared to other Apistogramma i have kept like A. Macmasteri.

 

[aquaticclarity]

Most diffenetly not an Apisto...I my mind. The dorsal and anal fin "ends" lead me to believe that you have juvinels of a larger genus of fish then Apistogramma. I'm actually leaning toward a "Cichlasoma" juvinal...what ever the new genus may be for a given fish. But the head shots would help narrow down a genus.

Jeff

 

[ed seeley]

I was thinking Cichlasomine too.

I'm afraid my knowledge hits a rather large brick wall there...

 

[Jimkel]

Thanks for all your help guys, I was unable top get a good picture of the head, My cameras just not good enough so I've decided to return them to the pet shop and inform them that they are not Apistogramma . Because even though the assistant told me he was unsure of the exact species, he assured me they were an Apisto of some sort.

I think I've learned my lesson about buying mystery fish!

 

[aquaticclarity]

But mystery fish can often turn out to be something cool neat and different. The odd contaminant mixed in with a bag of everyday fish is the best way to get that highly sought after fish without the matching price tag. But I understand that one doesn't always have the room to keep mystery fish, especially when they turn out to be potentially big fish.

So just don't always rule out the unknown.

Jeff

 

[tjudy]

My first impression is Malagasy, possibly juvenile Ptychochromis of some sort.

 

[Jimkel]

My first impression is Malagasy, possibly juvenile Ptychochromis of some sort.

Yeah I was looking at Ptychochromis, they could very well be these.

I was also considering KONIA EISENTRAUTI or PTYCHOCHROMIS GRANDIDIERI