Wangenflecken?

[Amy D]

All I know of this apisto is it is wild caught. I do not know the area in which it came from. It has almost doubled in size since I got it and I was hoping I am closer to identifying it. I apologise the pictures are not the best but I tried to get shots of distinguishing features. I'm still a newbie at apistos but my new guess is Wangenflecken maybe? I noticed a "Y" shaped vertical bar and blue spots on face. Also has slight black leading edges which makes me think its a possible female? Here goes!

Sorry for the ram photobombing but it gave me a good shot at her extended fins

Yawning during the photo shoot

Any input is much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Mike Wise]

Well, it's not A. sp. Wangenflecken. Wagenflecken is a resticulosa-complex species and these species show slightly diagonal abdominal streaks, not rows of abdominal spot-stripes, like your fish. Additionally Wangenflecken's vertical bars are more bowed and the lateral band is much narrower with a serrated border. I'm not sure which species it is, based only on these photos. My 'gut feeling' is that it is a eunotus-complex species from Peru. Without more photos of the fish in different moods and any other information that came with the fish (name? size? other fish that came in with it?) it will be hard to positively identify.

 

[Amy D]

Well shucks. It was worth a shot. Thanks for your input Mike Unfortunately I know nothing else about the fish. I think I'll stick with named species from now on like the Borelli's I got in the tank next to it rather than a grab bag of "wild apistos". It drives me nuts not knowing what type of fish I have as I like to do extensive research and know exactly how to properly care for all my fish. For now it will just remain the Unknown Apisto. Its healthy and happy so thats all that matters I guess. Thanks again

 

[Mike Wise]

Could you identify any of the other wild apistos that came with it? That might indicate which country from which the fish came. BTW I am currently breeding Wangenflecken (2 breeding tanks). It's a really easy apisto to keep and reproduce and doesn't get very large. They're ideal for a community tank of small, peaceful species.

 

[Amy D]

I grabbed the only two left in the tank at the time. Here is the 2nd one.

 

[Mike Wise]

Well, fish #2 is A. cacatuoides, so they are most likely from Peru.

 

[Amy D]

Woohoo 1 identification down! Thanks Mike