wild bitaeniata - from Rio Tefe?

[blueblue]

An apisto hobbyist in Hong Kong
has bought the following wild bitaeniata. The fish was claimed by the traders as a wild
fish from Rio Tefe. Of course, its color and body pattern look
quite different from the classic bitaeniata from Tefe...
So, do you think that it can be a fish from Rio Tefe?
Any comments are most welcome. Thanks much ^.^

Photo of the fish after keeping for some time (no flash)

Photo of the fish after keeping for some time (with flash)

Photo of the fish when it was imported:

 

[yorky]

Hi BlueBlue,
I am not able to view your pictures...

 

[blueblue]

Hi BlueBlue,
I am not able to view your pictures...

Thanks a lot Yorky for letting me know...
Please take a look at the following URL
http://www.aqugrass.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=56255
P.S.: all bita in the above link are essentially the same fish, taken at different time, or with/without flash. Thanks ^.^

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, the fish pictured could originate from the Rio Tefé. It is basically the Peruvian morph (but it usually has a more pronounced abdominal stripe) and is highly polychromatic. It could also come from many locations in the Peruvian Amazon, too. Whether they come from the lower Brazilian Amazon near Obidos or the upper Peruvian Amazon, they all seem to be one species.

 

[blueblue]

Yes, the fish pictured could originate from the Rio Tefé. It is basically the Peruvian morph (but it usually has a more pronounced abdominal stripe) and is highly polychromatic. It could also come from many locations in the Peruvian Amazon, too. Whether they come from the lower Brazilian Amazon near Obidos or the upper Peruvian Amazon, they all seem to be one species.

Thanks much Mike for your explanation.

A further question: It is usually proposed that the bita from
Brasil, when compared to Peru, is slimmer, the two lateral bands
are more visible (but will not have the abdominal stripe below the two lateral bands), and the fins' patterns tend to be paler, etc. May you please advise:
1. Are there any visual differences between the bita from
Peru and Brasil?
2. From the latest findings, what the major types/categories
of bita do we currently have?

Thanks so much ^.^

 

[Mike Wise]

The caudal fin pattern on A. bitaeniata can vary between locations. Brazilian forms between the Rio Purus & the Rio Tapajós are usually more slender, have a more distinctly visible abdominal stripe, more yellow & less blue on the gill covers, - and fewer longitudinal stripes & a more rows of spots on the caudal fin. Peruvian forms as a rule are heavier bodied, have an indistinct abdominal stripe, have very little yellow on the gill covers, - and more longitudinal stripes and fewer rows of spots on the caudal fin. Those from the upper Solimões (including the Rio Tefé) seem intermediates, with features between the other two morphs.

All of the bitaeniatas with specific names seem to be just commercial collecting locations (some do not even exist!). They are used to encourage hobbyist to buy more A. bitaeniata in my opinion. In many cases I would prefer to know the color of the male than their origin.

 

[blueblue]

Thanks so much Mike. I agree with you that the location name of the fish, in many cases, is mainly for business "branding" purpose to entice hobbyists to collect and buy all those different names... ^.^

The caudal fin pattern on A. bitaeniata can vary between locations. Brazilian forms between the Rio Purus & the Rio Tapajós are usually more slender, have a more distinctly visible abdominal stripe, more yellow & less blue on the gill covers, - and fewer longitudinal stripes & a more rows of spots on the caudal fin. Peruvian forms as a rule are heavier bodied, have an indistinct abdominal stripe, have very little yellow on the gill covers, - and more longitudinal stripes and fewer rows of spots on the caudal fin. Those from the upper Solimões (including the Rio Tefé) seem intermediates, with features between the other two morphs.

All of the bitaeniatas with specific names seem to be just commercial collecting locations (some do not even exist!). They are used to encourage hobbyist to buy more A. bitaeniata in my opinion. In many cases I would prefer to know the color of the male than their origin.