Help IDing - Apistogramma psammophila?

[illumnae]

I just ordered 3 "pairs" of Apistogramma psammophila from Aquarium Glaser, but one of the 6 pieces doesn't look like it's the correct species. It's hard to get a good picture in the bag, and even harder in the tank if I release it now, but is anyone able to help take a look at the poor pictures I managed to take? It looks more broad bodied than the other 5 pieces, and while in stress coloration the bands and markings don't look right either.

Thanks!

 

[Frank Hättich]

You are right, it's not psammophila (among other things, it has a caudal spot separate from the lateral band). It's likely a pertensis-group species.

 

[illumnae]

Thank you very much for the confirmation. I will try and get a replacement fish from Glaser. The other issue is the gender of the other 5 fish. Being wildcaught, none of the fins are in perfect condition, and being stressed in the bag makes ID even harder before releasing them into their designated tanks by pair. I did the best I could but I somehow think Glaser sent me at least 4 males out of the 5 correct fish, and maybe even 5

 

[anewbie]

Thank you very much for the confirmation. I will try and get a replacement fish from Glaser. The other issue is the gender of the other 5 fish. Being wildcaught, none of the fins are in perfect condition, and being stressed in the bag makes ID even harder before releasing them into their designated tanks by pair. I did the best I could but I somehow think Glaser sent me at least 4 males out of the 5 correct fish, and maybe even 5

In case you don't know these fishes don't pair.

I use these plastic specimen containers to look at fishes before release - while the fish will still be stressed it does provide for a more fuller view. They tend to run under $10.
(i personally prefer the large ones):

Lee's Specimen Container

A multi-purpose, clear container with a 1" wide handle that can be hung on the side of the aquarium to be used as a holding tank while catching fish. As a treatment tank for sick fish, less medication would be required. In addition, it can be hung on the inside of the aquarium to utilize the...

kensfish.com

 

[illumnae]

In case you don't know these fishes don't pair.

I use these plastic specimen containers to look at fishes before release - while the fish will still be stressed it does provide for a more fuller view. They tend to run under $10.
(i personally prefer the large ones):

Lee's Specimen Container

A multi-purpose, clear container with a 1" wide handle that can be hung on the side of the aquarium to be used as a holding tank while catching fish. As a treatment tank for sick fish, less medication would be required. In addition, it can be hung on the inside of the aquarium to utilize the...

kensfish.com

Yup understood, that's why I used inverted commas for "pair" in the first post. Just meant a male-female pairing per tank. The local importer isn't confident that Glaser will make good the wrong fish sent, so I asked him to add a box of this species in his next Colombia shipment. Hopefully they ship the correct species (the Colombia exporters always ship the wrong fish), then perhaps I'll just get 6 pcs to add to each tank and a natural pairing will hopefully form, then I can remove all the other fish.

For the specimen container do you get the small or large? Is it worth painting one side (the side with the handle) black to better see the fish?

 

[anewbie]

Yup understood, that's why I used inverted commas for "pair" in the first post. Just meant a male-female pairing per tank. The local importer isn't confident that Glaser will make good the wrong fish sent, so I asked him to add a box of this species in his next Colombia shipment. Hopefully they ship the correct species (the Colombia exporters always ship the wrong fish), then perhaps I'll just get 6 pcs to add to each tank and a natural pairing will hopefully form, then I can remove all the other fish.

For the specimen container do you get the small or large? Is it worth painting one side (the side with the handle) black to better see the fish?

I have both but use the larger as it is easier to deal with. I never painted mine - you could hold up a black piece of paper and see if it helps before painting - or at least my local store has black backing for a few pennies that can be taped on (it is rubber paper for aquariums). In truth when the fishes are stress they will look totally different - though how depends on the species - some get full of markings and others go pale - either way given a chance they will bite you.

 

[illumnae]

I have both but use the larger as it is easier to deal with. I never painted mine - you could hold up a black piece of paper and see if it helps before painting - or at least my local store has black backing for a few pennies that can be taped on (it is rubber paper for aquariums). In truth when the fishes are stress they will look totally different - though how depends on the species - some get full of markings and others go pale - either way given a chance they will bite you.

The Colombia exporter didn't ship the apistos out so I'm stuck with just what I have, unless Glaser still has stock next week. If they do my lfs will request for 3 females and I'll just throw everything I have into the same tank and hope 1-2 pairs form naturally that I can then separate into their own tanks

 

[Mike Wise]

As anewbie wrote, these apistos do not form pairs. If your tanks are large enough and properly laid out it would be better to use 2 or more females with 1 male - once you are sure that you have females. With polygamous species like yours I will rotate males into the females' tank.

 

[illumnae]

Unfortunately my tanks aren't big enough, they're about 15 gallons each. I have a couple slightly larger 20 gallon ones on the racks but those are currently occupied. That's why I split my dwarf cichlids into "pairs" - one "pair" in each tank with 2 small flowerpots and 1 terracotta cave, leaf litter at the bottom over the substrate and 1 large flowerpot in the middle back planted with Echinodorus or Hygrophila to act as a huge line of sight breaker. Sometimes the fish also use the sponge filter stuck on the back wall as a hiding spot.

 

[MacZ]

Unfortunately my tanks aren't big enough, they're about 15 gallons each. I have a couple slightly larger 20 gallon ones on the racks but those are currently occupied. That's why I split my dwarf cichlids into "pairs" -

In that case: Do you have the option to separate the "pairs" at any point? If so this is ok.

one "pair" in each tank with 2 small flowerpots and 1 terracotta cave, leaf litter at the bottom over the substrate and 1 large flowerpot in the middle back planted with Echinodorus or Hygrophila to act as a huge line of sight breaker.

Does line of sight break apply on the usual swimming level (10-15cm above the sand) of the fish? If so, allright, but if they can easily look around or under the objects they are not sufficient. Especially with plants that tend to be clear of leaves further down towards the substrate.

Care to show some pictures to help you optimize?

 

[illumnae]

In that case: Do you have the option to separate the "pairs" at any point? If so this is ok.


Does line of sight break apply on the usual swimming level (10-15cm above the sand) of the fish? If so, allright, but if they can easily look around or under the objects they are not sufficient. Especially with plants that tend to be clear of leaves further down towards the substrate.

Care to show some pictures to help you optimize?

Yes, I have 20 tanks on my 2 racks. Not all are empty but I can fit 2-3 "pairs" of this species.

The line of sight breaks aren't just the leaves, but also various flowerpots and apistogramma caves that are firmly on the substrate. The plants are planted in an actual flowerpot filled with soil that sits in the middle of the tank, creating a huge line of sight breaker. Leaves are scattered throughout the substrate but as you have mentioned they are temporary in nature and serve more as short term hiding spots to escape chasing for the moment only. My A. uaupesi female tends to like hiding in the leaves over the other more permanent structures though