different borelli "color" morphs

[nuimom]

I have been trying to locate a male Borelli "opal" I see blue, yellow head, and opal. I was told a shop could get me a "reg" but the opals have not been available for some time. I see this too when I look online, most say "out of stock" Is there such a thing as "regular" ????? And what is that color morph?? Regular. I have been wanting a Borelli since 1999 and my old books only list blue and yellow Thanks in advance

 

[MacZ]

Tradenames are such a mess and there are no rules.

Somebody correct me, if I mix things up:
"Yellow" was the original variant collected and scientifically described. Hence the common name in many languages translates back to "yellow dwarf cichlid". The head and fins of the males are, well, yellow. Later they also found a blue variant, which is considered also just A. borellii scientifically, but the trade has to distinguish. Both have blue reflective scales and markings in the face. Blue have less yellow in their body and fins, but still a considerable amount of yellow. So often the forms overlap.
A. borellii "Opal" are closely related but often considered a separate species, while the trade still counts them as A. borellii. They look a lot like the blue variant but have more shiny scales and additionally red markings on the face the other two are lacking.
There are also A. sp. "Blue Steel", which have nothing to do with A. borellii but are often found in the trade labeled as such. They are considered an artificial hybrid and I would recommend staying away from them.

 

[Mike Wise]

Truth be told what we call "A. borellii" is almost certainly more than 1 species, genetically. What is now called "Opal" is nothing like the original "Opalita/Opal" produced in the DDR (East Gemany) in the late 60s nor what was sold as "Opal" in the 80s and 90s, which were super colorful specimens found in many different populations throughout its range. Now Opals are a domestic strain. I guess the demand out-strips the supply in your area. I see them on AquaBid all of the time.

 

[jabo]

How about the one called Borelli paraqui, is that a wild form?

 

[MacZ]

Never heard that. Could be a tradename.

 

[jabo]

Here is a link and there spelt as the country Paraguay, also seen paraquai.

Apistogramma borellii Paraguay wild - Aquarium Glaser GmbH

Recently we received beautiful wild collected specimens of A. borellii from Paraguay. This species is an ideal aquarium fish. In contrast to many other species of the genus A. borellii is completely undemanding regarding water chemistry. Even in medium hard, slightly alcalic water the species...

www.aquariumglaser.de

 

[Mike Wise]

"Paraqui" seems a misspelling of the Spanish spelling of Paragui.

 

[MacZ]

I thought so and agree with Mike. "Paragui" with that spelling seems to be a place in Guinea in Westafrica, btw, Paraguay is sometimes spelled "Paraguai".

Here is a link and there spelt as the country Paraguay, also seen paraquai.

Well... That doesn't mean anything, Aquarium Glaser (incidently based not far away from where my partner lives and still less than 3 hours by train from where I live) is an importer and wholesaler. They give just the country of origin and add "wild" to make clear those are wild caught. Problem is: Neither "Paraguay", "Paraguai" denote a subspecies or a catch location. The fact they (I mean that company in particular) did not put it in " " as they would normally do with a known catch location proves that. The fish on that site are just simply A. borellii caught in Paraguay.

So if anybody offers you "paraqui" my best guess is they just copied the word from a stocklist from their supplier and don't care it's misspelled.

Retailers and Wholesalers often do not adhere to naming rules and often use on-the-spot made up names or misspellings.

 

[jabo]

Thanks to both of you. I myself doesn't think they look different from a "normal" borelli. I did buy some. The good thing is that they were much cheaper but as good looking.

Thanks again for clarifying.

 

[Ben Rhau]

Borellii aren’t commonly imported (at least not in the States) so wild caught is a nice find.