Apistogramma "Galaxy"

[briztoon]

Our LFS has some Apistogramma "Galaxy" currently for sale. They are wild caught from Peru. We have done some research on them and we have a fair idea of what they might actually be, but would like some input from the experts.

The male is approximately 4cm TL and the female is approximately 3cm TL. A few of the fish in the shipment, particularly the females, have what appears to be, black spot disease.

Male

Female

 

[Ruki]

For me your Galaxy are Apistogramma sp. "Pebas".

 

[Mike Wise]

"A. sp. Galaxy" has become a 'catch-all' name for several cruzi- and Pebas-subcomplex species that are collected between the Napo and Ampiyacu systems in northern Peru. The first Galaxy specimens were a more colorless form of either A. sp. Papagei or A. sp. Roca Eterna (males are not easy to separate). Later, other species were mixed in shipments: A. sp. Putumayo, A. sp. Pebas. As for your fish, I can't say what they are. The photos just don't show enough diagnostic features. The female looks like she has a single caudal spot instead of a double caudal patch. This indicates that she probably is a cruzi-subcomplex species, maybe A. sp. Putumayo. The male's bright colors hide too many dark markings on the caudal peduncle to say what it is. It looks like it might have some faint rows of spots on the tail. This rules out A. sp. Papagei and A. sp. Roca Eterna.

 

[briztoon]

Thanks for the responses Mike and Ruki.

I had thought they might be Apistogramma sp. "Pebas", while another member thought they might be Apistogramma sp. "Papagei". I think Apistogramma sp. "Putumayo" was also mentioned as a possibility.

I'll let the pair settle in for a while and put on a little size before putting up some new photographs.

 

[briztoon]

I did a water change and tank vac yesterday, and rearranged the tank lay out a little yesterday afternoon. Appears the pair like the change. The female is now a nice shade of yellow and actively courting the male, trying to entice him to her clay pot of choice.

Male foraging.

Female out and about.

Females pot of choice. Not easy to photograph.

 

[briztoon]

Hi Guys,

A couple of up to date photos that I hope may help to ID these fish.

 

[Mike Wise]

Sorry, but not good enough for me to use. I need some photos that show the male and female in non-dominance colors. The best way to photograph the fish while caught in a net.