Apistogramma viejita 'Rio Meta' or CFII?

[easyE]

Hi all, I'm just about to make the jump into dwarf cichlids, and am looking at housing a pair of Apistogramma viejita in my 20 gallon tank. I'm having difficulty finding the differences between the different color forms of the viejita, however.

The pictures of viejita that have captured me are the ones with a very visible black lateral line, as well as black fleckings on the top of its body.

I'm planning on buying from Apistodave, but he seems to be swapping the same picture for two different viejitas, the CFII and Rio Meta. One looks magnificent, and the other looks unimpressive.

Does anyone know which form would give me the best black?

David said both look very similar, but just in case..


For example, notice the prominence of the black on the lateral line, top of body, and near the eyes.

Compared to when you don't see any black at all.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[RAF]

That just seams like a macmasteri to me!

 

[Mike Wise]

"Rio Meta" or "CFII", these are just commercial names for domestically bred fish that are A. macmasteri or a cross of several different macmasteri-group species. None are the true, pure A. viejita. Pick the fish that you prefer by eye, not by name.

 

[RAF]

"Rio Meta" or "CFII", these are just commercial names for domestically bred fish that are A. macmasteri or a cross of several different macmasteri-group species. None are the true, pure A. viejita. Pick the fish that you prefer by eye, not by name.

That's the info I had also Mike... by the way, do you know someone that maintains the true viejita?

 

[Mike Wise]

As far as I know, the true A. viejita is not in the hobby. Does anyone know different?

 

[Zack Wilson]

Something else to keep in mind is that the black/dark markings you are referring to are not a static trait. Apistos can and do frequently and rapidly change their dark markings depending on mood and other factors. The fish in the first picture is unlikely to always show this set of markings, and the other fish pictured could easily display about the same as the first at other times. If you are picking a fish based on that, you're likely to be disappointed.

Better things to look for would be overall finnage, body shape, clean lines (no deformities), and color that suits you. Sometimes the fish will have the dark markings you like, sometimes not.

 

[Microman]

Hi Mike,
I do know that there are some in Germany...U know somebody who is sending some over to the UK for me.
Good trip i hear...
Visiting Norway this weekend.
Mark...

 

[RAF]

I do know that there are some in Germany...U know somebody who is sending some over to the UK for me.
Mark...

Mark... do you have photos of the viejita?

Best regards

 

[Mike Wise]

Roland Kipper has photos of A. viejita on the Cichlid Room Companion site: http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery.php?genus=Apistogramma, and on the the B.A.R.S.C.H site: http://www.apistogramma.net.