Help with ID on two Apistos

[SpeckledJellyfish]

I was sold these males as a particular species, but I have doubts they've been correctly identified. (Leaving species unmentioned so I don't skew anyone's brain in that direction. Lol) Can anyone confirm what species these males are for me please?

 

[Aquaticloch]

They look like megaptera or piaroa to me, maybe frank or another who is more experienced can give better IDs. Fish B also has Popeye.

Did you get these at Aprils? I have been looking at their stock and was considering getting some of these.

 

[Frank Hättich]

Fish A looks more like A. piaroa to me, fish B more like A. megaptera. But there are specimens of both piaroa and megaptera that look more like the other species or like something in between, so I'm not 100% sure.

 

[SpeckledJellyfish]

They look like megaptera or piaroa to me, maybe frank or another who is more experienced can give better IDs. Fish B also has Popeye.

Did you get these at Aprils? I have been looking at their stock and was considering getting some of these.

Oh shoot, so sorry!! I forgot to add that I am aware of the SEVERE case of popeye and am treating it! Unfortunately he came to me like that. I will see if I can update my post to mention that.

 

[SpeckledJellyfish]

Oh shoot, so sorry!! I forgot to add that I am aware of the SEVERE case of popeye and am treating it! Unfortunately he came to me like that. I will see if I can update my post to mention that.

Also, no, I'm not sure who April is....but if they tend to carry Apistos I would love to have details??

 

[SpeckledJellyfish]

Fish A looks more like A. piaroa to me, fish B more like A. megaptera. But there are specimens of both piaroa and megaptera that look more like the other species or like something in between, so I'm not 100% sure.

Thank you!!

 

[SpeckledJellyfish]

I was sold these males as a particular species, but I have doubts they've been correctly identified. (Leaving species unmentioned so I don't skew anyone's brain in that direction. Lol) Can anyone confirm what species these males are for me please?

Not sure how to edit to add this but yes, fish B has a SEVERE case of popeye. Unfortunately he came to me like that but I began treatment immediately and it is steadily improving. Thankfully I did a bit of testing and he can also still see out of that eye.

 

[Mike Wise]

My thoughts on ID are like Fank's: A = Piaroa; B = megaptera. Now, what were they sold as??

 

[MacZ]

You are aware that if you treat a bacterial infection with meds this usually only temporarily helps? It's the overall conditions, water parameters and especially the stresslevel that cause susceptibility for that.
And yes: popeye is just a symptome of bacterial infections. Once that appears it's clear the inner organs have taken damage. Especially the kidneys. Just as with dropsy.

 

[SpeckledJellyfish]

My thoughts on ID are like Fank's: A = Piaroa; B = megaptera. Now, what were they sold as??

They were sold as Piaroa.

 

[SpeckledJellyfish]

You are aware that if you treat a bacterial infection with meds this usually only temporarily helps? It's the overall conditions, water parameters and especially the stresslevel that cause susceptibility for that.
And yes: popeye is just a symptome of bacterial infections. Once that appears it's clear the inner organs have taken damage. Especially the kidneys. Just as with dropsy.

I am aware of the issues associated with popeye, but unfortunately he arrived like that so there isn't much I can do about it aside from treating and hoping it was a one time incident related to stress and/or handling from the shipping company. The seller said he was in good health upon shipment - and I believe him - emphasizing this because he's a reputable person and I 100% believe the fish was healthy/normal upon shipment.

 

[MacZ]

emphasizing this because he's a reputable person and I 100% believe the fish was healthy/normal upon shipment.

Sorry for popping the bubble, but this takes days to visibly develop and weeks of stress prior.

I can see though how this might go undetected at a wholesaler.

 

[SpeckledJellyfish]

Sorry for popping the bubble, but this takes days to visibly develop and weeks of stress prior.

I can see though how this might go undetected at a wholesaler.

Oh. Not sure what to say about that....either way, I guess it's good I've got him now and I am trying my best to get him healed and as healthy as possible.

 

[MacZ]

My advice: soft water (50-100 microS/cm conductivity), lots of humic substances and ideal food and environment and this should not be coming back. If you treat with antibiotics be prepared it might come back if the conditions are lacking.

 

[anewbie]

I had a domestic male agassizzi start to get pop-eye; i moved him to a much larger aquarium and a year later he is still doing well; so while it might have damaged the fish they can recover. While i cannot say the eventual long term prospect of this fish relative to never getting pop-eye it is already at least 2 1/2 years old (it was full adult when obtained); they can still live a decent amount of time.

 

[SpeckledJellyfish]

My advice: soft water (50-100 microS/cm conductivity), lots of humic substances and ideal food and environment and this should not be coming back. If you treat with antibiotics be prepared it might come back if the conditions are lacking.

I definitely already have the conditions and hopefully ideal foods. They get live white worms, daphnia, and baby brine shrimp.