A. sp. Rocafuerte

[Ekona]

Just got some F0 A. sp. rocafuerte from Jeff. Thought I would post a few pics of them half an hour after being put into their new aquarium. Top two appear to be males. What do you think of the bottom two? I think they may be females based on the shorter pelvic fins and mostly yellow coloration of pelvic and anal fins. If females, then this species has some nicely colored females. Probably not the best pics to show diagnostic markings, so I will see if I can get some better ones later.

Overall I think this is going to be an awesome apisto - thank you Jeff

Males

Females?

 

[raymond82]

Very nice fish!! Which lineage and which group do they belong to?

 

[Ekona]

Very nice fish!! Which lineage and which group do they belong to?

Thanks! They are nice. I'm not sure they have been classified, so I could't say.

 

[Ekona]

Comparing the pattern in the caudal fin of the second male, with the two lower fish in the pics above, I think the two "females" are actually two pics of the second male, but with more yellow in the fins.

I'm thinking this might be the best chance for a female of the group.

 

[Ekona]

Very nice fish!! Which lineage and which group do they belong to?

I did notice some similarities between A. sp. rocafuerte and this image of a fish labeled as A. juruensis, found on the fishbase website:
http://www.fishbase.us/Photos/PicturesSummary.php?StartRow=2&ID=26699&what=species&TotRec=4
Specifically, both fish appear to have a purple spot right where the anal fin joins the body. And there are overall similarities in coloration of the body and fins, although colors alone are not thought to be reliable characteristics for identification purposes.

 

[aquaticclarity]

It's a cacatuoides complex fish. Let me know on the "females" Dave. If I need to make it right in some way I will. I pulled the girls based on prominent black pectoral fin edges (when they are in the right mood). I pulled a big male with the dorsal fin extensions coming and hopefully a second male (he shows some female traits too!) So either I have a tank full of males or like you said this species has some attractively market females.

 

[Ekona]

It's a cacatuoides complex fish. Let me know on the "females" Dave. If I need to make it right in some way I will. I pulled the girls based on prominent black pectoral fin edges (when they are in the right mood). I pulled a big male with the dorsal fin extensions coming and hopefully a second male (he shows some female traits too!) So either I have a tank full of males or like you said this species has some attractively market females.

I think you probably sent two pairs, Jeff. But I'll let you know. The males at first had a lot of blue in them, but after a couple of hours in the tank, they got a lot more yellow in their fins, and that is why I thought the 3rd and 4th pics were "females". Based on body shape and fin length, I'm betting the last pic is a female. Thanks, again, great fish!

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
With the normal disclaimer that I'm no good at ID or sexing, but I think that

I pulled the girls based on prominent black pectoral fin edges

should that be ventral? assuming it is that is normally the method I use for sexing females, along with lack of dorsal fin extension (in those species with dimorphic "dorsal fin lappets").

cheers Darrel

 

[aquaticclarity]

Yes Darrel! I meant ventral fins...thanks for the catch!

 

[Ekona]

Hi all,
With the normal disclaimer that I'm no good at ID or sexing, but I think that should that be ventral? assuming it is that is normally the method I use for sexing females, along with lack of dorsal fin extension (in those species with dimorphic "dorsal fin lappets").

cheers Darrel

They are also known as pelvic fins in many references.

 

[Mike Wise]

TomC, Julio Melgar & I collected dozens of specimens of Rocafuerte/Shaly last Fall on the Peru/Ecuador border. My females show no (or almost no) spotting in the caudal fin, like A. cacatuoides. I'm pretty sure post #4 shows a female; the others are probably males, but not positive about the last fish in the group.

 

[DwarfApisto]

Wow beautiful fish!!!

 

[Ekona]

Mike, thanks for comments. After looking at them more closely, I'm pretty sure fish in post #1 are of the two males. I'm glad to hear you think fish in #4 is female (and have your own WC to compare to) because I had some doubt about it (there appears to be a slight extension to the 3rd and 4th dorsal spines). But, yes, reduced spotting in caudal fin along with rounded shape, and less bulky body shape suggest to me a female.

 

[Ekona]

Wow beautiful fish!!!

Thanks! Should be even nicer once they grow out some more.

 

[Ekona]

The A. sp. rocofuerte have begun to settle in. Here's a few pics of the alpha male showing dorsal fin extensions. Also there appears to be a nice yellow patch around the gill covers and the pectoral and pelvic fins.

Male with female Pv. sp. aff. subocellatus

 

[Mike Wise]

You might (probably will) have problems mixing kribs with apistos.

 

[Ekona]

You might (probably will) have problems mixing kribs with apistos.

Yes, it is temporary. Thanks for the comment.

 

[Ekona]

A neat apisto