A. sp algodon / A. sp pebas?

[Mike Wise]

Posts #1 and #8 both show females with the double caudal patch. This indicates that the fish belong to the Pebas-subcomplex of the eunotus-complex. Presently 3 apisto species belong to the Pebas-subcomplex:

A. sp. Pebas - female in brood dress shows 3-4 lateral spots and a more triangular caudal patch (wide caudal spot + narrow Bar 7 spot join to form double caudal patch).

A. sp. Papagei/Nanay - female in brood dress shows 2 (rarely 3, on one side only) lateral spots and a more 'figure 8' caudal patch (wide caudal spot + equally wide Bar 7 spot join to form double caudal patch).

A. sp. Roca Eterna - female in brood dress shows 4-5 lateral spots and a more 'figure 8' caudal patch (wide caudal spot + equally wide Bar 7 spot join to form double caudal patch). They are slighly deeper bodied than A. sp. Pebas and Papagei.

Every once in a while an anomalous specimen appears without a joined caudal patch, but when examining a larger number of specimens from the same population, the typical caudal patch is the norm. I've seen this in photos before. TomC even sent me a photo of a male A. sp. Winkelfleck that he collected that shows a very atypical (for this species) double caudal patch.

 

[Erik82]

Thank you for the information Mike. For my own knowledge, is it often happens that the male looks totally different in neutral mood? For example I never seen the (interrupted) horizontal bar at one of the fish while the other one is always present.

 

[Mike Wise]

This is not unusual. Cichlids can change colors quite easily, depending on mood. Dominant males usually do not show the diagnostic black markings. They are hidden behind all of the bright colors. If you want to see the dark markings on such fish, just net it out, put it in a plastic bag, shake well (well ... not THAT well:tongue, and put the bag up to a bright light. You will see the dark markings!

 

[Erik82]

Haha ok, then i will shake the the other fish to see his black markings of the other fish :tongue: The male with the black markings never changes his pattern, witch surprises me.

 

[Mike Wise]

Shake the dominant fish. He will change. Subdominant males typically show subdued markings (a form of communication). Remove the dominant male and the subdominant male will take on the dominant color in a few day.

 

[Erik82]

The matter is that the pairs are separated from each other. They are not in the same tank. But.. I will shake the dominant one. Pictures will come later.

 

[Erik82]

Hi all,
I finally took some pictures of the 'dominant' male shacked in a back. The black patterns are hard to see due the bluish reflection of the fish.


dominant male stressed:

Aggressive

Second male aggressive

 

[Mike Wise]

Male shows a double caudal patch. My guess is that it is A. sp. Roca Eterna.

 

[Erik82]

I agreed with you Mike. The other male looks like, like you said, also a Roca eterna. When he becomes aggressive the differences between both are hardly to see. Still I need to make a picture of the second male ´shacked´ in a bag.