Another ID this Geophagus thread!!

[David R]

I picked up these five small "surinamensis" from a shop last weekend. To me they looked different from what we usually get as "surinamensis", one of the key differences being their orangeish pelvic and anal fins. They're only about 4-5cm, and I know its hard to tell at this size. The last pic is what we usually get as "surinamensis", all the juvi's I've seen in the past have been much more pink in colour at a small size. The one in the pic is about 12cm.

 

[peathenster]

Not sure what they are, but G. surinamensis should have red iris (like in your last picture)...looking good though!

 

[japes]

First photo I'd be pretty confident is an altifrons of some variation: most likely from the Rio Tocantins. Last shot is more than likely also an altifrons - no lateral spot is almost a complete giveaway: Possibly a Manaus or Rio Negro.

Prominent fish in your second photo has noticably different caudal patterning and a very blunt head - I have no idea really.

ID'ing juveniles of that size is guess work most of the time anyway. Regardless, they're nice looking fish so they should turn out as equally nice adults that are hopefully easier to identify. I just wish importers, exporters, and stores would move away from the "Yep, It's a Geophagus, tag it as a surinamensis" mentality.

 

[David R]

Thanks Ryan. The fish in the last photo has a small black spot on its left side only, its kinda faint and there are no signs of one on the right side.

I've looked closely at the patterns on the caudal fin and I they all appear fairly similar, the way the pics are taken makes the difference look far greater than it really is.

And I agree about the "surinamensis" tag, people here seem to have the attitude of 'thats what the shops call them and thats what everyone knows them as so I'm not going to bother learning anything else', which is a bit backwards but not surprising. I don't think the agerage punter here would even notice there's a difference in this lot...

 

[bl00]

. I just wish importers, exporters, and stores would move away from the "Yep, It's a Geophagus, tag it as a surinamensis" mentality.

The eartheaters look great, David!

 

[David R]

Anyone else want to hazard a guess?

 

[edburress]

I think Japes covered it well and offered all you can say with confidence. I had the same reaction with the tail pattern differences.