I.D. help

[FishSoup]

Hey guys, i'm presently looking for Ap. papagei, and have located a young pair being sold as Ap. Algodon I. I am however unsure if they are Ap. sp. papagei or Ap. sp. "Pebas"... i know the H-shaped caudal marking is diagnostic of Ap. sp. papagei, but this fish is too young for the H marking to be clearly discerned.

Anyone can help?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21212476@N08/2691786069/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21212476@N08/2691786009/

 

[Mike Wise]

"Algodon 1" usually is A. sp. Papagei. Does the male have some spots on the caudal fin? A. sp. Papagei has no spots. I think that I see some spots on the fish in the photos. Additionally, male A. sp. Papagei typically have a dark (usually red) horizontal band at the base of the dorsal fin. Immediately above the dark band is a pale (usually sky blue) horizontal band; then another dark (red) band; then another pale (white/blue) band; and finally a black border. Your fish seem to show verical dark (red) stripes that are more typical of A. sp. Pebas. Perhaps the horizontal banding will appear as it matures (if it is A. sp. Papagei).

Right now, based only on 2 photos, I would guess that you have A. sp. Pebas. Photos of females would be very helpful.

 

[FishSoup]

Thanks a lot Mike.. it is as i feared :frown:

i'm unable to get photos of the female, as these photos were the ones sent by the importers, who very kindly took them to help me properly identify the fish.

i guess i won't be buying this particular pair after all.