Ap. Gephyra or Ap. Agasszii?

[blueblue]

On p.1241, Uwe's Cichlid Atlas I:
For the fish as shown in the picture
(the bottom one), it looks very much like
the Ap. Gephyra with spots in the upper half of
its caudal fin. So, should it be an Ap. Gephyra
or an Ap. Agasszii? Please advise.

 

[Mike Wise]

Based on what I see, the photo is of A. gephyra - the combination of a continuous lateral band in threat display, red edge on dorsal fin, short tips on ventral, dorsal & anal fins, gephyra-like tail fin with spotted internal area & narrow submarginal band, and (apparently) unscaled ventral area are diagnostic for this species. This is a photo provided by Glaser. The identification given, as with many in their Aqualog Southamerican Cichlids II book, appears to be incorrect.

 

[blueblue]

Thanks a lot Mike and it is a big error as many local retailers here follow Uwe's atlas and label this kind of fish as either Ap. Agasszii or "Ap. Agasszii - Gephyra" which is very confusing...

 

[blueblue]

BTW, are there any cases among hobbyists reporting that crossbreedings between Ap. Agasszii and Ap. Gephyra have taken place??

 

[Mike Wise]

There are several error in Römer's Atlas. I don't know of a book yet published that is error free. I know of no published crossbreeding experiments. I wouldn't be surprised if it can occur and that the offspring are viable & fertile. I consider A. gephyra similar to A. cf. agassizii Broad Black Caudal Edge (both are very closely related to the holotype form of A. agassizii) in that they are both sibling species of the A. agassizii superspecies.

 

[blueblue]

Thanks and agree. Despite some errors in places, Uwe's atlas is undoubtedly an excellent book for all apisto. hobbyists

 

[Zapisto]

Thanks and agree. Despite some errors in places, Uwe's atlas is undoubtedly an excellent book for all apisto. hobbyists

yes
if you know where the errors are it is a good ref.