cf.'s and such

[Greg PL]

I'm wondering if it is safe to assume that the (cf) species, or other closely related, which were recently divided are similar in their demands in regards to water conditions, tank space etc? I would say it's generally true, but perhaps there are some, who should be treated differently than the "mother species".
can you think of any exceptions?

Trying to make use of various sources we have the DATZ publication as a ID bible (is it still more or less up to date? ) and, in my case, Mayland&Bork's SADC plus Roemer's CA1. the last two are a bit old, but have a lot of valuable information towards keeping and breeding the fish. if they are relevant for the "mother species" - will they work for the "new species" as well?

 

[Mike Wise]

It depends on the species. I have some A. cf. agassizii Madeira Gold that will not reproduce unless the water is very soft and the pH<5.5. The female's brood dress is a dull yellow with a continuous lateral band - not the bright yellow with only a lateral spot seen on typical brooding female A. agassizii. Additionally, the male is permitted to swim among the fry from the first day they are freeswimming. At first I thought that it was just my male, but his son does the same thing with all 5 females that I have kept with the 2 males. This is quite different from the typical A. agassizii.

The DATZ book is still still fairly up to date. The IDs are quite accurate. The only name changes are A. angayuara for A. sp. Trombetas 1 (A145) & A. salpinction for A. sp. Trombetas 2 (A173). As for Römer's Atlas and M&B have quite a few mis-IDd species. The care & breeding data is fine for the the species pictured even if they are not accurately identified.