Help in identification and sexing

[Rhaethe]

Halloo!

Some time ago last year, I purchased a pair of Apistos from my LFS. They were not labeled, and the owner said they came in as a mistake from the supplier. I purchased them. One failed to acclimate/was pestered by the other and died within the first week. The one left is a delightful fish. Very curious and bold, but peaceful enough with its tankmates (varieties of tetra).

I have yet been able to identify the species, and have no clue of the sex, either. I am not necessarily wishing to breed, but I was contemplating getting another, or several more for a grouping if appropriate.

Size of this fish is around 5cm I think, maybe a bit less. Around the same length as a full grown lemon tetra. Any assistance in identification and sexing is appreciated

~C

 

[Mike Wise]

I looks like one of the many forms of A. cf. pertensis. The nose is strange, probably deformed, like the Felsen form of A. uaupesi in Römer's CA1.

 

[Rhaethe]

I've not been able to find an image on the internet yet of a pertensis with the first dorsal ray being black and a red spot at the base of the tail. Otherwise, does look a lot alike!

 

[Frank Hättich]

The head is indeed very deformed which makes identification more difficult. However, imo the shape of the dorsal fin and the zigzag lateral band point more towards a resticulosa- or caetei-complex species.

 

[Rhaethe]

You know I never thought of his snoot as being deformed Ah well.

I took two more shots to see if that helps. My gut is telling me is likely a male, and I can see where there is yellow and blue on his dorsal rays and pectorals ... that, if in breeding dress would likely show more brilliantly. As a note, the black lateral across his body typically doesn't show that much when he's out and about, it is typically a little more more faded. I don't think he likes the camera too much, though, and is darkening up out of irritation. He is typically very aware of what is outside the tank.

~C

 

[Rhaethe]

And this shot, to give an idea of scale. He's not a big thing. Managed to play with zoom a touch to make it not appear that something scary was taking pictures.

 

[Frank Hättich]

In the last photo I see some black pigmentation in vertical bar 7 below the lateral band. If this isn't just accidential, it points towards a caetei-complex species. These regularly show a "downward angled" lateral band in bar 7. However, given the deformed head and scales there's also the possibility that your fish is some kind of hybrid.

 

[Rhaethe]

Without a clear and certain identification, I am guessing the best / kindest thing is to leave things be and not introduce any other apistos to the tank, even if female? He has pretty much staked out the entire footprint of the 20g long at this point. Fun fish to watch go about his day ... had hoped to see his breeding dress colors, but I can always set up another tank at another time to see apisto colors in action with a more properly planned pair/harem.

 

[Frank Hättich]

Without a clear and certain identification, I am guessing the best / kindest thing is to leave things be and not introduce any other apistos to the tank, even if female?

Since your fish is a male of uncertain identification, you should in particular not introduce some female, especially not a "similar" looking female, unless you want to produce hybrid offspring.

 

[Rhaethe]

Since your fish is a male of uncertain identification, you should in particular not introduce some female, especially not a "similar" looking female, unless you want to produce hybrid offspring.

Exactly what my gut told me I'll place more plants, rocks and neon tetras in there instead