Here you go. This is a followup from my post in the Species forum.
I'll try to answer some questions:
1. Do the photos show the fish's head/body shape accurately (as perpendicular to the camera as possible; not head on or tail on shots)?
2. Does it show the fish's finnage accurately (raised spines, spread tail)?
3. Does it show the fish's dark markings on the head, body and fins accurately? These are the most important diagnostic features on apistos. These dark markings are best seen on stressed/frightened males and females in a neutral mood. This is why it is helpful (to me) that photos of the female be provided if possible.
I will try to get pictures of a stressed male and female.
4. What was the name that the fish was sold as? Sometimes it hints at what it is; sometimes not, but it doesn't hurt to add this information.
No english trade name given
5. How large is the fish in the photo? Juvenile/small specimens are next to impossible to identify down to species level. Size of mature specimens can be very useful.
The fish are about 6 to 7 cm TL. With females lacking the blue and red coloration on the cheeks. Seems to be one of the easiest species to sex so far.
6. Is the fish domestically bred? Most domestic fish are either accurately identified or at least have a commercial name that can be cross referenced.
No, the fish is supposed to be a wild caught specimen. The chinese trade name is translated into sapphire flame (after the blue irids and red spot on the cheeks)
7. Is the fish wildcaught? Wildcaught fish usually show diagnostic features better because they haven't been altererd by line breeding. If it is wildcaught, can you find out which country/region that the fish came from? If one can eliminate species from some areas, it helps to narrow down the possible species that it can be. Were there any contaminant (by-catch) fish in the shipment? Sometimes these 'oddballs' can indicate the country of origin of the apisto.
Seller claims the fish came from Peru, locality unknown. There were many Apistogramma in the shop at the time, as it was a South american fish importer.
I'll try to answer some questions:
1. Do the photos show the fish's head/body shape accurately (as perpendicular to the camera as possible; not head on or tail on shots)?
2. Does it show the fish's finnage accurately (raised spines, spread tail)?
3. Does it show the fish's dark markings on the head, body and fins accurately? These are the most important diagnostic features on apistos. These dark markings are best seen on stressed/frightened males and females in a neutral mood. This is why it is helpful (to me) that photos of the female be provided if possible.
I will try to get pictures of a stressed male and female.
4. What was the name that the fish was sold as? Sometimes it hints at what it is; sometimes not, but it doesn't hurt to add this information.
No english trade name given
5. How large is the fish in the photo? Juvenile/small specimens are next to impossible to identify down to species level. Size of mature specimens can be very useful.
The fish are about 6 to 7 cm TL. With females lacking the blue and red coloration on the cheeks. Seems to be one of the easiest species to sex so far.
6. Is the fish domestically bred? Most domestic fish are either accurately identified or at least have a commercial name that can be cross referenced.
No, the fish is supposed to be a wild caught specimen. The chinese trade name is translated into sapphire flame (after the blue irids and red spot on the cheeks)
7. Is the fish wildcaught? Wildcaught fish usually show diagnostic features better because they haven't been altererd by line breeding. If it is wildcaught, can you find out which country/region that the fish came from? If one can eliminate species from some areas, it helps to narrow down the possible species that it can be. Were there any contaminant (by-catch) fish in the shipment? Sometimes these 'oddballs' can indicate the country of origin of the apisto.
Seller claims the fish came from Peru, locality unknown. There were many Apistogramma in the shop at the time, as it was a South american fish importer.
