differentiating G. albinos, altifrons, and suranimensis

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C

chronick

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 18, 2009
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Canada
hey MFK, i recently purchases 2 fish being sold as G. suranimensis, but i don't know if they are for certain suranimensis. I find it difficult to determine G. albinos, altifrons, and suranimensis when they are still 3-6". can anyone give me an idea of what to look for or pictures that would demonstrate how to identify the 3?

thanks
 
Surinamensis: not available in North America

Abalios: no facial markings, six dorso-ventrally directed yellowish gray bars, large spot on its flank coinsiding with the 3rd bar, and usually striped caudal fin (however when young can be spotted or a combo of both)

Altifrons: No facial markings, small (<4 scales) or non existent spot on flank, and spotted caudal fin

Hopefully I didnt miss much but if I did I'm sure people can fill in. Btw fish 3" and under are almost impossible to ID
 
I agree with all of abarilot's comments. I'll add that you can differentiate G. abalios from G. surinamensis by the baring pattern on the flanks. With G. abalios the first two (anterior) bars bisect into two (kind of form a Y like the mid-lateral bar in G. dicrozoster, just not as strongly separating).

Geographically, they are all distinct also: G. altifrons is from Brasil, G. abalios is from Columbia and Venezuela, and G. surinamensis is from Suriname and French Guiana. So, if you know the origin of your fish, it can help with narrowing down the correct I.D.

If you look here
http://sites.google.com/site/deanhougen/fishpics/NewGeosGlance.png
G. abalios is b and G. altifrons is j.

Ed
 
GEO QUEEN;4744392; said:
x2 with respect to both posts. Also look at the coloring. Abalios are more goldish in color while altifrons tails and pelvic fins are a more bright red and yellow. see my avatar for example of an altifron.
Click to expand...

You have to be very careful with ID'ing any Geophagus off color. Altifrons can differ greatly in color depending upon were they are collected.
 
As JD mentioned there are many varieties of both G. altifrons and G. abalios. Search for an online article by Thomas Weidner (2008) entitled "Geophagus abalios is not always Geophagus abalios". Very interesting read.
 
peathenster;4745459; said:
As JD mentioned there are many varieties of both G. altifrons and G. abalios. Search for an online article by Thomas Weidner (2008) entitled "Geophagus abalios is not always Geophagus abalios". Very interesting read.
Click to expand...

That article is no more as far as I can see. All of the supposed "good links" are dead now.
 
cool!
 
jgentry;4744918; said:
You have to be very careful with ID'ing any Geophagus off color. Altifrons can differ greatly in color depending upon were they are collected.
Click to expand...

yes, I am aware, but he was just wondering how to differentiate between abalios and alts and color between the two are totally different in my experience.
 
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