Apistogramma Papagei/Pebas?

[ADC Nederland]

Since Yo-Han is from The Netherlands it is possible that my specimens and his come from the same source since there is only 1 or 2 wholesalers and breeders who usually have them.

 

[Yo-han]

They seem to get more beautiful every day. Not the best pictures but the colors are amazing on these fish so I needed to share! Female markings would suggest Roca Eterna, male looks most like the Papagei form. They do seems interested in each other from time to time. I'll try to breed them in a separate tank next month if I can get them out of my 1000L tank.

 

[Yo-han]

What does the spotted vs striped lateral line of the female tell me about her mood?

And is this couple not really a couple in terms of origin?

 

[Mike Wise]

The lateral band (not lateral line, which is a sensory organ on fish) is mostly seen when fish of this species-group are in a neutral mood. The line dissolves into a row of lateral spot when in an aggressive mood or as part of the brood care pattern. Are the 2 fish the same species? I don't know. The female's caudal patch doesn't really correspond with any of the orteagi-like species that I know. These might be a cross of 2 closely related species. Are you certain they are wild fish? Have they ever produced fry?

 

[Yo-han]

The wholesale imported them as wild caught. But I've seen wrong females with males before so I guess the exporters aren't very strict when it comes to females. They are in a 1000L community tank with lots of plants and medium hard water so impossible to check and unlikely that the Fry would hatch/survive. Although they do seem to flirt from time to time. I got a 60L spare tank setup for them where I'll use RO water and try to breed them in a couple weeks.