Are these Apistos

[georgedv]

Went to the LFS Friday and got a bag of something. They were labeled cacatuoid. I am new to apistos, but these did not seem like cacs at all. I checked out the DATZ book and found one possible match for those w/ a blue coloring...Ap Linkei....but these ones are flirting A LOT with those with yellow coloring (male/female)...???

If anybody can help. I am also including a female albino krib for every one to see.

FISH A:

FISH B:

FISH C:

FISH D:IMG]http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc27/georgedv/Picture340.jpg[/IMG]

IMG]http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc27/georgedv/Picture348.jpg[/IMG]

FISH E:

FISH F:

Thanks for any help

g

 

[Mike Wise]

They look like Apistogramma sp. "Pebas" to me (both sexes in photos), except the last 2. They are female albino Pelvicachromis pulcher.

 

[tjudy]

great color on the female krib...

 

[georgedv]

Thank you Mike.

Is there a process that you go to figure out what fish it is? Let me try to explain. The DATZ book is great and so is the other one you sent me w/ its' translation, but for me the only way to ID a fish is to compare one picture at a time w/ the fish in question.

So I am wondering is there a process that helps you go directly to a certain region, or river, or what ever category or group/type of apisto.

I am asking because I don't want to ask on the site all the time when it is something I an do on my own...maybe get it confirmed on the site.


thanks


g

 

[Mike Wise]

You as a good question, but it would require a very long answer - too long to answer in detail here. Basically, I use a "divide & conquer" method. I first look at gross morphology of a fish: body shape, fin shape, and the dark markings on the body. These vary with species, but are similar in each species-group/complex. There is a description of the different species-groups/complexes at http://www.apisto.com/phylo/phylobody.html. It is old and outdated in places, but for the most part is still valid. I really need to update it sometime. Determining group/complex is the most important part of the process. Once you determine the group/complex that your fish is in, you have eliminated a large number of species. Then you look more closely at the fish for subtle variations. Here is where Koslowski's & the DATZ book are most useful. They have fish organized by group/complex, so it is much easier to compare species. With experience you will be able to recognize differences and identify fish species. I've been doing this for apistos for over 30 years, so I have a bit more experience than most. Still, there are times when I have problems, too.