Apistogramma staecki

[Ekona]

Here is a wild male from Jeff. Still small, they should be really nice when grown out.

 

[DwarfApisto]

He's has really nice fish huh?

 

[aquaticclarity]

Nice picture again!

I believe they are A. cf. staecki based on color (lot's of blue in the head) and the pattern. The country of origin (Brazil) also supports that. A. staecki comes from Boliva according to Datz. But I'll go with whatever Mike says...I think!

 

[Ekona]

He's has really nice fish huh?

Yes, I'd have to agree with you. This is the first time I've ever seen A. staecki in the hobby.

 

[Mike Wise]

A. staecki shows a small caudal spot clearly separate from the lateral band. A. cf. staecki shows a continuous lateral band that extends to the caudal fin. Your photo shows a fish with an unusually wide (for these 2 species/forms) lateral band/caudal spot. I can't really say if it has a true caudal spot or not.

 

[aquaticclarity]

I'll just call them by their first names then to be safe! (Jim, Mary, George, Steve, Anne, etc.)

 

[Ekona]

A. staecki shows a small caudal spot clearly separate from the lateral band. A. cf. staecki shows a continuous lateral band that extends to the caudal fin. Your photo shows a fish with an unusually wide (for these 2 species/forms) lateral band/caudal spot. I can't really say if it has a true caudal spot or not.

Thanks for your comments, Mike. In looking at other photos on the internet, there are definitely variations in staecki-like fish. This male is the only one I can get a good photo of. Once the other male grows out some, I'll try to get some photos of it for comparison. I like the fact that this forum allows a place for photos of apistos to be posted as a documentation for what is actually out there, and that can only help in adding to the knowledge base.

 

[Ekona]

I'll just call them by their first names then to be safe! (Jim, Mary, George, Steve, Anne, etc.)

LOL

 

[Ekona]

A. cf. staecki are starting to grow and display. When full grown I can't imagine how nice they are going to be.

 

[Ekona]

A few photos of female A. cf. staecki - Yup, you sent some females, Jeff

 

[Ekona]

I really like the glittery colors in the dorsal fins of this species.

 

[DaRe]

Amazing!

has he colored up any more recently?