Pirata is bitaeniata

[Mark]

Hello again,

It took some time, but I have made some pictures to show the status of the Apistogramma bitaeniata Pirata (or Haway as it is sold in Holland). I think the species is a form of bitaeniata but they are very high and almost cacatuoides like. Ofcourse the last species is completely different, but I think the body form is really different from the Brazilian bitaeniata types. I wouldn't be surprised to see the two to become two separate species.
The male you see has a second line, which is very dark at the end near the tail. That's why it resembles the eremnopyge spot.
The female has 3 small lines and shows no spot near the tail. Now she is guarding the brood, she sometimes has only 1 rectangular spot in the middle.

I hope this makes it clear to you all. It is a very nice species which is not difficult to keep.

Mark

 

[kingborris]

interesting that you think this may become a separate species. I've recently picked up a pair of wilds, and 6 juvenille F1 fish (from different parents to the two wild fish i have ) of this variety

 

[Mike Wise]

A. bitaeniata is an interesting species. It has a wide distribution - from west of Iquitos, Peru to around Óbidos, Brazil. Add to this that they are restricted in places to widely separated blackwater biotopes. Thus, there will be many populations showing some variability in shape, finnage, & colors. We really don't know how many of these are just geographically isolated populations or if they are becoming separate species. They all seem to breed together successfully, however.

 

[Mark]

If I see how much difference you can see in the bitaeniata forms and how small a difference between two other species, I think this species will be devided in to one or more species. I would love to see these variants be examined on genetic differences; I would expect some surprises.. But till that time we just try not to mix geografical populations.

Mark