actually, assuming they're all pure (big assumption) once they reach maturity there shouldn't be too much difficulty distinguishing them apart. The 2 biggest threats would be the bifasciatus/synspilus and the zonatus/hartwegi but even these, again assuming they're pure, should be fairly easily discernible.
I've kept both pure synspilus and bifasciatus from rapps and would be able to easily tell them apart....from the 2 that I kept. of course there will be differences from fish from different locales but still...generally speaking bifasc will have a black lateral line running the length of the fish whereas the synspilus will have one only covering the last approx. 1/3 of the body length. zonatus should have a solid black lateral line whereas hartwegi should not be fully solid and have vertical bars that come and go as well (though female zonatus also show this trait so that'll make it trickier). Though the face should give it away more as hartwegi should have red spotting on the face and the zonatus generally won't.
and actually at least half that problem should be cleared up as the DOA appears to be either the hartwegi or synspilum (i'd lean towards the syns. from the pic...was the bag it came in not labelled?)
very nice stocklist and can't wait to see them all as they grow....definitely keep us updated on their progress.
just my $0.02
I've kept both pure synspilus and bifasciatus from rapps and would be able to easily tell them apart....from the 2 that I kept. of course there will be differences from fish from different locales but still...generally speaking bifasc will have a black lateral line running the length of the fish whereas the synspilus will have one only covering the last approx. 1/3 of the body length. zonatus should have a solid black lateral line whereas hartwegi should not be fully solid and have vertical bars that come and go as well (though female zonatus also show this trait so that'll make it trickier). Though the face should give it away more as hartwegi should have red spotting on the face and the zonatus generally won't.
and actually at least half that problem should be cleared up as the DOA appears to be either the hartwegi or synspilum (i'd lean towards the syns. from the pic...was the bag it came in not labelled?)
very nice stocklist and can't wait to see them all as they grow....definitely keep us updated on their progress.
just my $0.02
gorgeous fish man good luck with all of them and you should do growth thread on the reganis and as they get older maybe wel be able to tell which is which
