Nannacara

[Simon Morgan]

I bought a pair of Nannacara anomala, but I'm not sure if they are anomala or might even be aureocephalus - is there an easy way to tell them apart?

 

[retro_gk]

IMO, not easy to tell apart. Especially with aquarium strains.

The aureocephala males I had exhibited a more prominent speckling on their unpaired fins.

 

[Mike Wise]

That is not true anymore. There are populations of N. aureocephalus & N. anomala with the same density and distribution of spotting on the fins. The best way to separate the 2 species is to look at the borders of the scales of the flanks. On N. anomala the center of each scale is dark and the borders are lighter. On N. aureocephalus the center of each scale is pale and the borders are darker.

 

[retro_gk]

Thanks for clearing that up, Mike.

 

[KenL]

I think aureocephalus are rare in the UK, don't think I've ever seen them.

I'd expect any readily available fish at a low price to be anomala.

On difference, I thought anomala males had green scales, aureo' more gold

 

[Mike Wise]

I never trust colors.