Apistogramma steindachneri or Apistogramma ortmanni?

[Gertbl]

Hi everyone,

Recently order the Wildcaught Apistogramma steindachneri at my LFS. Yesterday I took them home with me and placed then in my 2m Rio Essequibo tank. Now I know that the three species from this region (Essequibo/Rupununi) look somewhat simulair to each other for me. So hope you guys can tell me if these are steindachneri or ortmanni, or perhaps even rupununi?

Apistogramma steindachneri by Gert Blank, on Flickr

Apistogramma steindachneri by Gert Blank, on Flickr

Apistogramma steindachneri by Gert Blank, on Flickr

Apistogramma steindachneri by Gert Blank, on Flickr

Apistogramma steindachneri by Gert Blank, on Flickr

Apistogramma steindachneri by Gert Blank, on Flickr

Apistogramma steindachneri by Gert Blank, on Flickr

 

[Mike Wise]

Since they show a prominent lateral spot, they cannot be A. ortmanni. A. ortmanni belongs to the regani-lineage, none of which show a lateral spot. The fish in the photos definitely belong to the steindachneri-lineage. They appear to still be young. Juveniles of A. steindachneri and A. rupununi are very similar in appearance. Based on the pattern in the caudal fin of the (probable) males, I would guess that they are A. steindachneri.

 

[Gertbl]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply.
They are indeed young wild specimens that I got from Ruinemans in The Netherlands. I've got 8 of them swimming in the 2m tank, so it's good to know that this is the right species. But for me it wouldn't be a problem if they were rupununi, since they still fit in the Essequibo basin biotope setting now. The next thing is to find out how many males and females I've got. But that's just a matter of time befor I can see this.

 

[Gertbl]

What would you say of this fish stock for the 200x60x60cm tank?

20 Hypoptopoma sp.
30 Nannostomus unifasciatus or eques
7 Pterophyllum leopoldi
5 Biotodoma cupido
4 Hemiloricaria sp.
8 Apistogramma steindachneri

And perhaps some Copella arnoldi

 

[Mike Wise]

It seems to me to be bottom heavy - too many bottom dwellers and not enough middle and top dwellers. Additionally, if you hope to breed any apistos in this community of fishes you will be disappointed.

 

[Gertbl]

Hi Mike,

I am aware about the amount of bottom dwellers. This is something that I will monitor to see if I have to remove the Biotodoma or a other bottem dweller.

Thanks for your look on this, it is appreciated.