what are they ?

[apisto-nut]

same fish

 

[Mike Wise]

It looks like 2 different species. The fish with the verical bar-like caudal spot are probably A. sp. Masken/Masked. The others with oval caudal spots are probably A. cf. eunotus, but I would need clearer photos of the fish showing more dark markings to be certain.

 

[apisto-nut]

would that be the reason the wholesaler called them painted face "masken/masked"

anything speical about them ?

are they common , water perams , sexing ?

there is only one with a oval caudal spot , the other 11 look the same

 

[Mike Wise]

A. sp. Masken was originally imported under the name A. sp. Cara pintada which is Spanish for "colorful/painted face". Cara pintada is rarely used in the hobby anymore because A. sp. Angle-patch/Winkelfleck also has been imported under this name in the past. It appears that they are accurately identified. Masken is also sold under the name A. sp. Apache. Look for photos & information under any of these names.

A. sp. Masken as a subtle beauty with pale blue vertical fins and lots of red face markings on the male. It is not particulary difficult to keep and breed, but does best in slightly acid and moderately soft water.

 

[apisto-nut]

the one that looks like a A.cf.eunotus could it be female orange tail or do you need a better pic.

would stress markings give you a better ID as I could net them and/or one and take pic close to glass ?

 

[apisto-nut]

male ?

female ?

 

[Rey82]

By using my reference books I say that the variety of apistos that you have are apisto gossei. I can tell by the bar on its caudal fin and the coloration on the dorsal fin. If you can get your hands on the Aqualog book South American Cichlids II you will find the picture on page 37. Code # S03545-3.

 

[Mike Wise]

apisto-nut, I agree with you. It probably is A. cf. eunotus Orangeschwanz/Orange-tail, but I hesitate to say which A. cf. eunotus form it actually is without seeing more photos - particularly one of a male. The latest photos show a male & female of A. sp. Masked/Masken.

Rey82. I do not belive that it is A. gossei for the following reasons:
1. the fish is too deep-bodied for A. gossei.
2. the lateral band is too narrow for A. gossei
3. it is a Peruvian fish, mixed in with A. sp. Masken. A. gossei is from the border of French Guiana & Brazil, 2,500 miles away from Peru.

On another note, don't depend on the IDs in SACII. About 15-25% of the species are mis-identified, although the A. gossei photos in it by Hans Mayland appear to actually show A. gossei.