Help identify Aequidens Metae or Diadema?

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darth pike said:
It's missing the cheek spot for diadema (which you can clearly see in Andicca's pic) or the stripe for metae ...
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These are not distinguishing characteristics between these 3 species. All 3 have a cheek spot, as well as a horizontal stripe......though these markings are not necessarily expressed. I can find pictures of all 3 species, with or with out a cheek spot! Generally you might expect, the more mature the specimen is, the less likely it will show it's cheek spot.

Can be difficult to distinguish these species. But if you look at the markings on the fins, seems to be a match with pictures of Aequidens diadema ......and not a match with either A. pallidus nor A. metae. Though I am not certain that is a reliable way to distinguish these species.
 
Interesting. As I said, outside of a high flash shot, I didn't find any pics of a diadema without the spot. And never seen a metae without the the full stripe (aside for the cf. metae), though the troublesome one is the sp. jenaro herrero since it's only a partial stripe, I've seen it look as almost as small as the diadema and almost as long as metae, and everything inbetween. If we knew the location, that would tip it one way or the other (Peru vs Colombia).

My books all focus on the cheek spot/stripe as the diagnostic feature. The only time I've heard of the fin marking come into play is with the sp. jenaro herrero with the midlateral spot extending into the dorsal.

But then I'm convinced most of the pics on google mix up the three species as well. I'm definitely not an acara expert though, just a fan. Hence why I said I'd try to get in touch with Alf for an ID. He's always been very willing to help on the forums he's on, but haven't seen him around lately.
 
Thanks guys, I did contact Alf, and drumrole please.....
He thinks they are older an Metae pair? Which is what they were originally marked as in a Chicago auction. I am going to try to contact that person that sold them to my contact, and see if he has history on them and what makes them a Metae in his mind. So with that said, I will update this once I get his answer, but in the meanwhile, Alf says Metae, and thats good enough for me
I did find out that they are about 3 yrs old, and even though they have always shown the size difference of a male vs female, the original owner says they have never spawned.
They either are not interested in spawning, parameters havent got them in the mood, or its two males and they are just buddies when it comes to swimming with each other.
Thanks again

Art
 
Didn't see that comming! I would not have guessed Matae. I thought Darth nailed it to be honest.
 
I wasn't sure I nailed it, but I certainly wouldn't have guessed metae. :confused:

But that's why I always go to the acara king when in doubt.
 
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