- Messages
- 138
- Location
- Belle River Ontario
About one month ago, my Girlfriend and I were doing our usual Fish Store crawl when we happened upon a little hidden treasure in a tankful of Pristella Tetras; a small (I do mean small) Apistogramma. At the time of purchase it was 3/4" of an Inch but clearly showing some markings.
Now that we've had it for a month, it has grown to 1-1.5" and starting to show some interesting features. We are guessing at either Apistogramma agassazii, A.norberti, A.cruzi or A.macmasteri.
Due to the tank (sand, tons of wood all gnarled together), getting a good picture of it will be a task but I have a good description below;
Source: Origin unknown. Arrived as a contiminant with Pristella Tetras
Size: 1 - 1.5"
Age: Juvenile
Body Shape: Elongated
Dorsal Fin: Pretty even along the edge. Has a small extension at the back starting to show
Lateral Spot: Nearly the same width as the lateral band.
Lateral Band: Broad, goes into Caudal ends in a small arrow shaped feature
Caudal (peduncle) Spot: Yes. Not as clear. But when showing arrow shaped
Tail: Sorta round
Other features:
Colouration: Yellow/Brown, Medium Brown to Yellow/Tan (depends on the mood as always with Apistogramma).
Suborbital Stripe: Yes, very bold
Dorsal Patches: Yes
Anal and Dorsal Fin: Anal has strong black edging, Dorsal, very faint.
Pectoral Fins: Black at the body, white at the tips
Caudal and Dorsal starting to get a red tinge
Blueish Spots on the Gill Plate, not many, just a few
Eyes: Very Dark
We are strongly leaning on Agassizii as our Mystery Apisto but wish for some of the experts to chime in. When I have the option, I will attempt a photograph to help with the id. Thanks.
Gary & Erin
Now that we've had it for a month, it has grown to 1-1.5" and starting to show some interesting features. We are guessing at either Apistogramma agassazii, A.norberti, A.cruzi or A.macmasteri.
Due to the tank (sand, tons of wood all gnarled together), getting a good picture of it will be a task but I have a good description below;
Source: Origin unknown. Arrived as a contiminant with Pristella Tetras
Size: 1 - 1.5"
Age: Juvenile
Body Shape: Elongated
Dorsal Fin: Pretty even along the edge. Has a small extension at the back starting to show
Lateral Spot: Nearly the same width as the lateral band.
Lateral Band: Broad, goes into Caudal ends in a small arrow shaped feature
Caudal (peduncle) Spot: Yes. Not as clear. But when showing arrow shaped
Tail: Sorta round
Other features:
Colouration: Yellow/Brown, Medium Brown to Yellow/Tan (depends on the mood as always with Apistogramma).
Suborbital Stripe: Yes, very bold
Dorsal Patches: Yes
Anal and Dorsal Fin: Anal has strong black edging, Dorsal, very faint.
Pectoral Fins: Black at the body, white at the tips
Caudal and Dorsal starting to get a red tinge
Blueish Spots on the Gill Plate, not many, just a few
Eyes: Very Dark
We are strongly leaning on Agassizii as our Mystery Apisto but wish for some of the experts to chime in. When I have the option, I will attempt a photograph to help with the id. Thanks.
Gary & Erin
Not a lot of detail, but then there were only 10 - 12 known species. Now there are around 300 species/forms/populations. There are also some contradictory statements in your description. If the lateral band extends into the caudal fin, then the fish can't have a caudal spot. Your description of the pectoral fin seems more like a description of the ventral fins. Most apistos have hyaline pectorals; some have yellow, but I know of none that have black in them. It might help if you wait a bit longer, until the fish matures, and then try to give us a new description.
