Something wrong with A. Panduro?

[richardhmc]

I have three panduros and they all look like

http://guitarfish.org/images/posts/apisto_panduro_2_10-26-2006.jpg

but are they not supposed to look like

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photos/art_simple_apistos_01.jpg

or

http://www.israquarium.co.il/FishPhoto/Apistogramma panduro male.jpg ?

I bought my fish as panduro and they aren't showing the color they are supposed to be. My fish are 2"+ long so I know they are mature. Any suggestions?

 

[Mike Wise]

The first photo shows a dominant male A. panduro - actually A. cf. panduro (A184) - in threat display. The second photo shows a female A. panduro in brood dress. The third photo shows a male brooding fry with no dark markings. Look at your fish. Do any show strong black color on the ventral fins? This indicates that it is a female. Males show very little or no black on the ventral fins.

 

[richardhmc]

2 of my fish have a black spot on their sides and the other one has no spot on its side but a spot on its tail. I'm just wondering why they aren't showing any colors when they are mature. I think I see a hint of yellow on the ones with black spots on the sides though. The one with the spot on the tail is shy while the other two aren't.

I feed them bloodworms and flakes
They are in a 20 gallon tall tank with three loaches.
There is no aggression whatsoever between all the fish.

 

[Mike Wise]

Like most cichlids, apistos can vary their colors. The intensity and size of the dark markings and other colors depend on mood, tank lights, and even the color of the sand. All 3 of your panduros will show a dark lateral patch at some time or another. Females show this more often than males. On males it is often reduced and hidden under other colors.

 

[bigbird]

hi, any chance of a photo ? cheers jk

 

[richardhmc]

I'll take pictures soon.

The tank overall is very dim because the light doesn't have alot of wattage and the tan leeching from driftwood makes it dark.

The substrate is black sand.