Apistogramma resticulosa or Apistogramma inconspicua ?

[Reggie Leuty]

I bought a trio of what came in as Apistogramma inconspicua but the dealer said they could be Apistogramma resticulosa. I googled both species and for the novice such as me, they look exactly the same fish. If there a way to tell the difference in the two species? Or possibly if they come in as A. inconspicua then most likely they are A. inconspicua? The group the dealer got in are at least 2 inches, could they be WILD?

 

[Mike Wise]

Hard to say what you have without photos and other information (see 'sticky' in ID forum). Species of the commbrae-complex and resticulosa-complex are very closely related to each other. The main difference is the shape and size of the caudal spot/blotch at the base of the tail. Members of the commbrae-complex develop a large caudal blotch formed from the caudal spot and the central part of the last (Bar 7) vertical bar on the body. Resticulosa-complex species only develop a smaller caudal spot of varying shapes and size. Once you determine to which species-complex your fish belongs, you need to decide which species you have. Both species-complexes contain species that are very similar in appearence.