Help ID- Abalios, or no?

[flowerpower]

I have these two geos that were labeled 'surinensis' at the LFS. One I'm pretty certain is abalios but the other.....?

The 2 side by side.

Abalio right?

The other

this is actually the best shot I have of his vertical bars (bottom left)

 

[flowerpower]

Thanks in advance BTW.

 

[flowerpower]

Check out page 5. http://www.scribd.com/mobile/documents/43104901?query=geophagus doesn't show all species but the best I've found so far. Any help?

 

[freebyrd]

looks like mine, they were labeled "surinamesis eartheaters" i think they are abailos or altifron. mine TOO have the vertical bars like in your picture. they dont show them unless they are fighting or showing other emotions

 

[flowerpower]

Thanks for the reply. Why is it so hard to I.D. these? Bad pics, too young, what?

 

[abarilot]

The 4th pic is G. abalios. Does the other have any facial markings that are not showing up in the pics? If not I would think its a G. megasema but I do not have the specifics on them so I could be wrong.

 

[freebyrd]

Its hard because the two species share a lot of the same features, and when young some of the identifying markings or traits are very similar. Lateral lines and the spot, also the lines or spots in the caudal fins are how you tell the two apart I believe. Someone else chime in for confirmation, I'm still learning about this interesting genus

 

[sponger_2]

the large spot one is abalios ( lines in the tail) and the small spot is altifron ( spots in tail) there are no geo's coming from suri.

 

[peathenster]

The 4th pic is G. abalios. Does the other have any facial markings that are not showing up in the pics? If not I would think its a G. megasema but I do not have the specifics on them so I could be wrong.

Agree with this...they look like two different species at this size. Almost positive that pic 4 is an abalios. The other fish have a bigger spot, more stripy tail, and the bars look different too.