Hi.
PBB are quite easy to ID once you know how.
There are a number of distinguishing features, though some are not "set in stone".
The first quick check is that it has 16 fillets. (this includes the last forked Finley half attached to the caudal fin.
This is not 100%, but almost all PBB will have minimum of 16, Laps almost always have a maximum of 15.
I have owned 15 filet PBB, and 16 Finley Laps, but it's uncommon.
Next, I would go on head shape. This isnt so easy to distinguish, until you have owned and studied both fish. But PBB will have a much more massive head and jaw.
Body patterning. PBB will tend to have the vertical markings start further downt the body than a Lap.
Both PBB and Laps have small white pads on the cheeks. They sometimes resemble a 7 or a V, sometimes just dots.This (I have been told) is something to do with sensory nerves(?). PBB tend to have a lot more and or usually bigger.
PBB will usually tend to have more contrasting patterns when kept in optimal conditions.
There are also more scientific ways to correctly ID them such as scale counts, and fin clippings, but usually the head shape plus the other common distinguishing features are enough to ID.
PBB are no longer a "rare" fish as they once were, and prices have or SHOULD have dropped immensely.
I can pick up a large WC Chad PBB in almost any LFS here in Japan now for not much more than a similar sized WC Lap.
For this reason, there shouldn't be any reason anymore for LFS or dealers to try and sell you a Lap as a PBB (knowingly or not),bits always best to buy from a reputable dealer who can provide the catch locale too.
Captive bred PBB can be a problem to ID sometimes.
Currently there are 2 breeds of PBB on the market.
The first is a Chad breed from breeders called "Kamihata" these years ago were selectively bred and F1 and stunning. They came certificated, and cost a lot. Now these are being massed produced and exported worldwide and look awfull. Nowhere near F1.
The next is Indonesian bred. These were sourced out to indo breeders from the same Kamihata group to keep up with international demand. These are possibly Turkana x Chad mixed breeds, though VERY well known stores here in Japan refuse to sell them (such as big-in, Aqua Art etc) as they supposedly have inside knowledge that these are intact Turkana PBB crossed with Lapradie.
Best bet IMO is go wild and get from a decent dealer.
If in doubt, try get a pic before buying and post it here myself and many others should be able to ID it without too much trouble.
Hope that helped some.
PBB are quite easy to ID once you know how.
There are a number of distinguishing features, though some are not "set in stone".
The first quick check is that it has 16 fillets. (this includes the last forked Finley half attached to the caudal fin.
This is not 100%, but almost all PBB will have minimum of 16, Laps almost always have a maximum of 15.
I have owned 15 filet PBB, and 16 Finley Laps, but it's uncommon.
Next, I would go on head shape. This isnt so easy to distinguish, until you have owned and studied both fish. But PBB will have a much more massive head and jaw.
Body patterning. PBB will tend to have the vertical markings start further downt the body than a Lap.
Both PBB and Laps have small white pads on the cheeks. They sometimes resemble a 7 or a V, sometimes just dots.This (I have been told) is something to do with sensory nerves(?). PBB tend to have a lot more and or usually bigger.
PBB will usually tend to have more contrasting patterns when kept in optimal conditions.
There are also more scientific ways to correctly ID them such as scale counts, and fin clippings, but usually the head shape plus the other common distinguishing features are enough to ID.
PBB are no longer a "rare" fish as they once were, and prices have or SHOULD have dropped immensely.
I can pick up a large WC Chad PBB in almost any LFS here in Japan now for not much more than a similar sized WC Lap.
For this reason, there shouldn't be any reason anymore for LFS or dealers to try and sell you a Lap as a PBB (knowingly or not),bits always best to buy from a reputable dealer who can provide the catch locale too.
Captive bred PBB can be a problem to ID sometimes.
Currently there are 2 breeds of PBB on the market.
The first is a Chad breed from breeders called "Kamihata" these years ago were selectively bred and F1 and stunning. They came certificated, and cost a lot. Now these are being massed produced and exported worldwide and look awfull. Nowhere near F1.
The next is Indonesian bred. These were sourced out to indo breeders from the same Kamihata group to keep up with international demand. These are possibly Turkana x Chad mixed breeds, though VERY well known stores here in Japan refuse to sell them (such as big-in, Aqua Art etc) as they supposedly have inside knowledge that these are intact Turkana PBB crossed with Lapradie.
Best bet IMO is go wild and get from a decent dealer.
If in doubt, try get a pic before buying and post it here myself and many others should be able to ID it without too much trouble.
Hope that helped some.
