Mikrogeophagus sp.

[andrespalomino]

I only know two species of this genera (ramirezi and altispinosa), but last week, i went to an aquarim store and i saw several individuals that may reassemble other species this genera. Although I´m not an expert, I saw some characters that may be associated with this gruop (I also tried to find some information in the Geophagus group but I didnt find any similarity)

The adult fish has a white color, with some palid iridicences. They also have the black spot, and the optical lines catacteristic of the ramirezi taxa. I asked the origin of this fish, but they dont know it exactly (they are from Colombia, but they dont tell me the location).

I want to know if there are more species of this genera, and also if is any associated species or varietys that can be associated with this brief description.

I hope i will get some photos soon
Thanks

 

[Jayhawk]

Could it have been Biotodoma cupido? I've often wondered if these guys should be reclassified into microgeophagus...but that's only on looks since I'm not an ichthyologist.

Eric

 

[Mike Wise]

I know of only 3 possible species: M. ramirezi (the Orinoco Ram), M. altispinosus (the Bolivian Ram), and M. sp. Zweifleck/Two-spot/Pindaituba from the Brazilian Mato Grosso. The latter is closely related to M. altispinosus, but has a large black patch on the caudal peduncle. If your fish is from Colombia, it is probably one of the many color morphs of M. ramirezi or, who knows, maybe an entirely new species! I would love to see photos of this fish.