[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...

 

[Mike Wise]

They look like A. sp. "Tefe" to me. Yes, the Rio Tefé has 2 agassizii-complex species: A. agassizii (Tefe) nearer its mouth with the Amazon and A. sp. "Tefe" farther upstream around the Lago Tefe. Females? Only the fish really know.

 

[br4]

Thanks a lot for the clarification! I didn’t know the Tefé region hosted two different species from the agassizii complex depending on the area—really interesting!


Out of curiosity, what are the main morphological differences between A. agassizii (Tefé) and A. sp. “Tefé”? I’d love to learn how to better distinguish them.

 

[Apistoguy52]

Thanks a lot for the clarification! I didn’t know the Tefé region hosted two different species from the agassizii complex depending on the area—really interesting!


Out of curiosity, what are the main morphological differences between A. agassizii (Tefé) and A. sp. “Tefé”? I’d love to learn how to better distinguish them.

Sp tefe males will display thin reddish zig-zag lines below the lateral band, agassizii “tefe” males will not. Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to the girls