Dicrossus sp. Tapajos

[freshwaterfishfan]

This is for those fish and geography experts: Is Dicrossus filamentosa found in the Tapajos river? It is my understanding it is not. How about D. maculatus? I thought it was? I ask because I ordered some Dicrossus sp. Tapajos that the seller is certain was collected in the Tapajos but states they don't look like Dicrossus sp. Tapajos to him.
Steve

 

[Zack Wilson]

I'm not really certain about the natural range of maculatus, other than that the type locality is in Santarem, but I can tell you this; I ordered a large shipment of Dicrossus about a year and a half ago and received an almost even mix of the true sp. Tapajos and also some very nice maculatus in the same bag. Unfortunately in both cases I received only one female of each species and the rest were male.

Are there any photos the seller can provide you? It's pretty easy to tell the two species apart, as sp. "Tapajos" has thin dashes instead of squarish checkerboard markings. There are easily identifiable color differences as well, but the checkering would be most evident. Tapajos will also how a strong lateral band (sort of a fusion of the middle row of dashes) under certain circumstances.

I had a group of several males and a female and all were doing wonderfully, even looked like they might spawn, but unfortunately while I was at work one day we lost power for several hours and when the filter turned back on it must have kicked some toxins back into the water. I lost a couple males and my only female. Always seems to go that way.

 

[Mike Wise]

D. maculatus occurs in the lower Rio Tapajós around Santarem, the Maues-Açu, and Ariupanã (Rio Madeira system). D. sp. Tapajós occurs in the Rio Pimental and the middle Tapajós, above the city of Itaituba. Like Zack wrote, the 2 species are really easy to distinguish.

 

[freshwaterfishfan]

I will assume then that D. filamentosa's range does not include the Tapajos river? I'll let you know what I got. I'll be thrilled with sp. Tapajos but will be very happy with maculatus. I have one breeding pair (and 6 juvies from them) but I'd like to get more.

 

[Mike Wise]

D. filamentosus is only found in the Rio Negro & upper Rio Orinoco. I just hope that the fish actually are from the Tapajós. Sometimes shipments get screwed up.

 

[freshwaterfishfan]

Mike,

That's the worst case scenerio, that I end up with some expensive D. filamentosa. The risk and rewards of high stakes fish keeping, right?
Steve

 

[Zack Wilson]

I talked to Jeff, and it sounds to me like they are likely maculatus. I sort of stumbled across them on his list and got in touch with him, as I'd like to get some tapajos again. All of his have the squarish checkerboard markings, so no tapajos in the group, but maculatus isn't bad at all. Actually, in terms of appearance, maculatus takes the cake, but tapajos has the appeal of being a bit less circulated.

 

[freshwaterfishfan]

Got the Dicrossus, and I agree with Jeff, they are maculatus.
And I agree with Zach, they are probably the most attractive Dicrossus out there.
Steve