Is this an Apistogramma Cacatuoides juvenile?

[Brian_Nano12g]

This was labeled a Double Red Apistogramma Cacatuoides at the LFS. I've never had any of the Apistos before so I'm not sure if this is how they look as a juvenile? The pics online show a real colorful fish, mine looks real bland. Also, does this look more like what the scientific name implies, a Cockatoo cichlid; or is it just an Apistogramma Agassizi of some sort?

 

[Gillie]

That is a male A. agassizi and very nice looking one at that.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

That is a male A. agassizi and very nice looking one at that.

Do all the Agassizi juvies look colorless when they're young? I want a colorful dwarf cichlid and it was labeled as double red. I don't see one ounce of red on him. He's still very interesting and I'll probably keep him regardless, but I'm just wondering.

 

[Desastre]

Probably just stress of being moved. Give him a while and he will color up. My apistos and kribd looked bland at first an then one day just busted out with color.

 

[Gillie]

That fish is not a juvie or colorless at all IMO. It is definitely a wild type and not a tank strain.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

That fish is not a juvie or colorless at all IMO. It is definitely a wild type and not a tank strain.

Wow that's a very interesting assessment? How can you tell? He's very small about just over an inch. Also, what type of strain is he?

 

[stone1269]

Here's mine prob same when urs matures I ordered cockatoos but got these instead

 

[stone1269]

Here's wat I wanted

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Here's mine prob same when urs matures I ordered cockatoos but got these instead

Still a pretty nice looking fish! I was actually happy getting either one. I stumbled upon this little guy at a Petsmart for only $12. This is shocking because I'd usually have to go to a speciality LFS that charges double that for these rare finds. Further, I can't believe LiveAquaria has them listed for like $60 plus shipping! I just feel lucky to find one at a reasonable price because I've always wanted one and usually opted for the more common GBR. He was the last one too in a tank full of Bolivian Rams.

 

[stone1269]

Yea I paid around 15 bucks a pc but I only paid the wholesale price cause I'm on good terms with my lfs lol

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Here's mine prob same when urs matures I ordered cockatoos but got these instead

Oh BTW, did your apisto look like how mine looks now when you got him? Mine looks grey and blue and I'm just wondering if that's just because he's still a juvie? Can't wait to see his true colors show if that's the case.

 

[stone1269]

No mine were all full grown but the reds weren't as bright till they settled in I'm sure urs will b the same

 

[Gillie]

Guys, at his size he is not a juvenile. Apistogrammas along with many other dwarf cichlids only have a life expectancy of about one year in the wild so they are genetically programmed to mature around 1''. As for the color form the best I can do is A. cf. agassizi Broad black caudal seam and this cf occurs in 11 different locales both North and South of the Amazon. It definitely is not a Double red like Stone's or it would have it's red by now and like I said it is a wild form not a tank strain.

 

[Gillie]

Here's mine prob same when urs matures I ordered cockatoos but got these instead

View attachment 84430

When you ordered them were they listed as Apistogramma Double Red or Double Red Apistogramma?

 

[stone1269]

I ordered cockatoo cichlids

 

[Gillie]

I ordered cockatoo cichlids

Ouch, I could see the mistake if they were listed as Double Red Apistogramma, I see that on lists quite a bit and it's 50/50 as to what comes in, but still not correct.

 

[stone1269]

Yea I wasn't too happy lol

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Guys, at his size he is not a juvenile. Apistogrammas along with many other dwarf cichlids only have a life expectancy of about one year in the wild so they are genetically programmed to mature around 1''. As for the color form the best I can do is A. cf. agassizi Broad black caudal seam and this cf occurs in 11 different locales both North and South of the Amazon. It definitely is not a Double red like Stone's or it would have it's red by now and like I said it is a wild form not a tank strain.

Thanks for pointing it out in more detail. I'm new to Apistos and I very much would like to learn more. Those ppl at Petsmart got the labeling of this fish way wrong. It's okay, I still like my Apisto and it's pretty intriguing to know its a wild strain.

I found this interesting web page that points out distinctive markings of the various sub species of Apistos. http://mtfb.com/MTFBJuly2005/JULY2005pagesIMAGES/105wisearticle2.htm

 

[janky]

Awesome fish! Both you and stone!
I love the little apistos... very colorful, cool looking, full of personality, and best of all, compatible!

I can assure you that they will color up more when they are relaxed and settled. I have a big guy that I rescued that is VERY timid and he's almost always a super pale yellow color - but when he colors up he's got all kinds of cool grey stripes!

Either way though, that blue guy is pretty colorful. I dunno about naming it "double red" when it's clearly blue? lol

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Awesome fish! Both you and stone!
I love the little apistos... very colorful, cool looking, full of personality, and best of all, compatible!

I can assure you that they will color up more when they are relaxed and settled. I have a big guy that I rescued that is VERY timid and he's almost always a super pale yellow color - but when he colors up he's got all kinds of cool grey stripes!

Either way though, that blue guy is pretty colorful. I dunno about naming it "double red" when it's clearly blue? lol

Thanks Janky. I'd love to see your Apisto. Any pics?