Wild Apistogramma id

[Mazan]

These two small Apistogrammas are in my local fish shop, they came mixed with a shipment of neon tetras from Colombia. These are the best pictures I could get for the moment.

 

[rasmusW]

I dare say eunostus or macmasteri complex fish. -which only leaves, i don’t know.. around 100 species to choose from… i’m terrible at this.

-r

 

[Frank Hättich]

It's some form of A. cf. hongsloi.

 

[Mazan]

It's some form of A. cf. hongsloi.

Thank you. I don't suppose it is possible to know what sex they are?

 

[Frank Hättich]

They are both males.

 

[Mazan]

I have another one - I have not seen this one, it is in another shop not close to where I live, they sent me a video (it is not possible to see the caudal fin properly in any part of the video). It also came along with some cardinal tetras from Colombia

.

 

[rasmusW]

If it’s the same species i would guess it’s a female solely because of the ventral fins broader dark marking. Though i know it’s not a distictive feature.
Let’s see what the pros have to say.

-r

 

[Frank Hättich]

It's a form of A. cf. hongsloi too. Whether it's the same as the first ones, I can't tell. Depending on the size it can be a female or a young male.

 

[anewbie]

Just a comment that i had a female that was nearly the same size as males; and in fact when i posted pictures here folks tagged it as a toss up between male/female and then it laid eggs.... the other female i had was much smaller which i presume is normal.

 

[Frank Hättich]

Just a comment that i had a female that was nearly the same size as males; and in fact when i posted pictures here folks tagged it as a toss up between male/female and then it laid eggs.... the other female i had was much smaller which i presume is normal.

The reasoning behind my question for size was this: if the fish is small (<4cm) it still can be a male but if it's large though not too large (say 5cm), it's most likely a female, because a male of that size (even if subdominant) should look different.

 

[anewbie]

The reasoning behind my question for size was this: if the fish is small (<4cm) it still can be a male but if it's large though not too large (say 5cm), it's most likely a female, because a male of that size (even if subdominant) should look different.

I understood; wasn't trying to something or other. Just noting i had a female that very much looked like a male of this species; which seemed strange and i was wondering if this was common for honsloi that the difference between male/female is much more subtle than other species where it is more obvious.

 

[Frank Hättich]

i was wondering if this was common for honsloi that the difference between male/female is much more subtle than other species where it is more obvious.

Imo it's not different from other macmasteri-group species.

 

[Mazan]

Apparently that one is under 4cm so could be either male or female...

 

[Mazan]

A quick question - do you think one of these Apistogrammas would be safe to put with some small (1-1.5cm) ruby tetras (Axelrodia riesei)? Would there be any risk of the tetras being eaten?

 

[Mike Wise]

Any fish that can get another fish in its mouth ... will. Saying that it really depends on the size and decor of the aquarium and the disposition of the apisto.

 

[Mazan]

Any fish that can get another fish in its mouth ... will. Saying that it really depends on the size and decor of the aquarium and the disposition of the apisto.

This is the aquarium, sorry I can't get a photo without reflections at the moment. It measures 80 x 45 x 50cm, but I probably shouldn't risk it...until the tetras are bigger anyway.

 

[MacZ]

I really love your tanks. Just had to get that out there.

 

[Mazan]

I really love your tanks. Just had to get that out there.

Thanks! This particular tank was where I initially had the Copellas before I moved them to the bigger tank. Then I used it briefly for an injured blue acara, but it has actually been empty of fish for several months as I have been waiting for something interesting to turn up. Then of course several interesting species turn up at once! It now has the ruby tetras, Nanostomus mortenthaleri and Rineloricaria lanceolata. I have room for Apistogrammas in the Copella tank (that is what I had been planning, but Apistogrammas are vary rarely available here) - but the shop also has 4 Poecilocharax that came along with those Apistogrammas and I thought of putting with the Copellas. I understand that it is not a good idea to keep them with Apistogrammas as they could compete for territory. Perhaps I could put the Poecilocharax in the tank pictured above and the Apistos with the Copellas?

 

[MacZ]

Perhaps I could put the Poecilocharax in the tank pictured above and the Apistos with the Copellas?

I thought that was the plan anyway.

 

[Mazan]

I thought that was the plan anyway.

I was initially thinking of putting the Poecilocharax with the Copellas, but I think it makes more sense the other way round. Wouldn't want to risk any tetras getting eaten.