[Species Identification] Question about wild Apistogrammas from Tefé

[br4]

Hey everyone!

I recently bought some wild-caught Apistogrammas from the Tefé region in the Amazon. The seller told me they were Apistogramma bitaeniata, but once the fish arrived, I noticed they didn’t quite match the typical morphology of that species.

The well-defined lateral line, the first rays of the dorsal fin, and the patterns on the tail raised doubts about the ID I was given. I suspect they might be Apistogramma agassizii or possibly Apistogramma sp. Tefé, but I’m still unsure.

If anyone with more experience could help me confirm the species, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks!

 

[MacZ]

Definitely A. agassizii-complex, to which the Tefe also belong. Hope it doesn't come down to counting scales.

 

[br4]

I’m a beginner when it comes to Apistogrammas. I only suspected it might be agassizii or sp. Tefé because a more experienced aquarist told me that haha. Are the differences between species in the agassizii complex really that subtle?

 

[MacZ]

Sometimes the differences are nuanced. @Mike Wise will know more on that.

 

[anewbie]

From previous threads here i believe tefe has a zig jag below the lateral line and agassizii is more straight...