Are these Aequidens metae?

[Pyramid_Party]

Well, it started with him chasing and trying to bite the smaler cichlids. Then one day he turned his attention on the bigger Blue acara, who is the dominant fish. The blue gets respect cause of its size, be hes very mellow.

It could of been a conspecifcs issue, but they really are known to get along with their own kind. SInce they were both males, I think that was the issue.

 

[darth pike]

They look differant because neither is a metae!!! The lighter colored one is a diadema (has a spot behind the eye instead of a long streak) and the darker one is one of the tetramerus species or look alikes ... at least from what I can tell/see from the video. Hard to count fin rays and such in a video.

 

[peathenster]

Sorry again for the poor video - will bring my camera next time to take some decent pictures. I wonder where they got those from!

 

[Cross127]

They look differant because neither is a metae!!! The lighter colored one is a diadema (has a spot behind the eye instead of a long streak) and the darker one is one of the tetramerus species or look alikes ... at least from what I can tell/see from the video. Hard to count fin rays and such in a video.

Diadema do get long bold lateral lines. You are right though that Diadema do get the eye spots.

The one in front of the glass does look different though as no Diadema I have seen ever gets that dark.

Here what my Diadema looks like to give you an idea
. 9 1/2" male

 

[darth pike]

I'm 100% sure yours isn't a diadema though Cross127. Instead of the dot behind the eye, it's got a partial streak (1/2-2/3 the length of the metae streak) plus the red/orangish ventral fins and has a metallic face, which would mean it's the undescribed Aequidens sp. Jenaro Herrera.

 

[peathenster]

this is fascinating!

darth pike - could you post some pictures of these species from credible sources?

Thanks!

 

[Cross127]

I believe you are on to something with Jenaro Herrera. The only thing is I never really see them this light in color they are always a dark sheen of red with prominant blue tipped scales.

Not going to deny your information as I think you are right. Also Diadema get Blue metallic faces dont they?

Aren't Jenaro Herrera Really rare? I have only seen two one being in person at my local aquarium and one on the net. I mean as in true as most are crossed with Diadema. I know they once used to be common in the hobby before they bred them with Diadema. My only reason for questioning are there really any true ones left.

You are quite knowledgable in these species.

 

[thatcichlidguy]

it appears there are quite a few going round .

not as good a pic as the one from Cross127, but ...

I have noticed that mine (Aequidens sp. "Jenarro Hererra") has become a bit of a bully recently. About a week or so ago he started giving my Sevs a little trouble. Nothing major yet but he's certainly trying to assert a bit of dominance.

 

[Cross127]

it appears there are quite a few going round .

not as good a pic as the one from Cross127, but ...

I have noticed that mine (Aequidens sp. "Jenarro Hererra") has become a bit of a bully recently. About a week or so ago he started giving my Sevs a little trouble. Nothing major yet but he's certainly trying to assert a bit of dominance.

Cool watch out for him. They can do some damage on other fish especially a Severum. Strong Jaws on them and the blunt face makes it hard for other fish to really get a hold of them.

How big is your male?

 

[darth pike]

I'll try to track them down, not at home. Best source I have is a book: American Cichlids II: Large Cichlids by Linke and Staeck ... but I don't have access to a scanner. I did find a good differance pic of metae, checking on the others.

sp. Jenarro Hererra would be the most common now a days though, it's in a commerically exported commonly collected area, which metae isn't due to Colombia's issue in the particular area.

Will post the pics once I find them and point out the differances in the pics. But the low down is the spot/streak, the facial color (none for diameda, green for Jenarro, blue for metae ... though aquarium lighting can play havoc with these) and the color of the ventral fins which only the Jenarro has the orangish/red ones.

Here's the metae link

http://www.aquariogest.com/images/wallpaper/aequidens_metae1024x768.jpg