Unknown fish in a batch of pertensis

[Melanochromis]

Hi,

I have found another mysterious fish at a shop in Bangkok. There were 4-5 juveniles of these species that came in with a batch of another fish labeled as pertensis (or cf. pertensis, I don't really know).

After some search, they appear to me as somewhat similar to cruzi or moae. But I'm not so sure.

The fish, however, were no longer at the shop and the person who bought them put the pictures here (please scroll down to reply #6).
http://aqua.c1ub.net/forum/index.php?topic=133760.6

The owner of the fish reported that they showed little aggression in the tank and liked to swim together. They even swam with other Apisto like trifasciata.

It'd be really great if someone could help ID the fish

 

[Mike Wise]

A very interesting find! The regani-complex species can be difficult to identify. It would be helpful see a female or a male with submissive/fright markings. Based on what I see right now, my guess is that it is one of the forms of A. (cf.) geisleri. I could be wrong.

 

[Melanochromis]

A very interesting find! The regani-complex species can be difficult to identify. It would be helpful see a female or a male with submissive/fright markings. Based on what I see right now, my guess is that it is one of the forms of A. (cf.) geisleri. I could be wrong.

Thanks, Mike. When the fish were at the shop, they were kept in a very dark tank and showed a different pattern on the body. I'll ask the owner if he could take picture of the fish when they show that pattern again.

 

[Melanochromis]

Hi again, Mike. I have asked the owner to take pictures of fish with body markings and he did.
Please take a look (reply #15)
http://aqua.c1ub.net/forum/index.php?topic=133760.0

Thanks!

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, definitely one of the many forms of A. cf. geisleri from the lower Amazon. A. cf. pertensis occurs in the same region, too, so the combination makes sense. I can't say which population it exactly is, but it closely resembles A. cf. geisleri from the region around Parintins, Brazil (A60 in DATZ book).

 

[Melanochromis]

Thanks a lot! I guess that solves the mystery. I look up pictures of A60 and agree they look very much alike.

I've translated your reply into Thai so that the fish owner can understand. He'll be happy to finally know the ID.