Aequidens Identification Help..

[Always Learning]

I've had these for around 3 months now and they are up there with one of the prettiest fresh water fish I have seen. The variation of colours in any mood and under any light is amazing and they're fairly peaceful confident fish which have added that something extra to my tank to make me fall in love again. The pictures don't show them off to be even half as beautiful as they are.

The problem is, I'm not 100% on what they are. I was sold them as 'Aequidens sp Atabapo' which I doubt they are, nor can I find much with that name. They're egg layers and didn't mouth brood at any time throughout, though some Diadema look very similar and they do have the solid black markings when stressed. The nearest I have found is an old post and that says 'Aequidens sp Jenaro Herrera'

Anyone able to confirm that, or have a genuine identification?

Thanks in advance. Sorry for the poor pics and dirty screen, but it's the best I could get with my phone

 

[meguro]

i would have said aequidens metae but im really not sure

 

[Wills]

They are Diadema, 'Aequidens sp Atabapo' is a valid species in some ways as Diadema covers a few species with slight differences 'Aequidens sp Jenaro Herrera'is one of these as well. If memory serves correct Diadema has clear Ventral Fins (the ones on the chest under the pectoral fins) and Jenaro Herrera has coloured ventrals - though it could be the other way round... Yours are not extending theirs in the photo so hard to say.

They are def part of the Royal Acara group.

Very nice as well

Wills

 

[star4]

Wills, Bailey has the same pattern on the fins as those ones they are definately not metae, I would go with diadema too, look like mine anyway

 

[Wills]

Wills, Bailey has the same pattern on the fins as those ones they are definately not metae, I would go with diadema too, look like mine anyway

Ah good glad you replied - on Baileys ventral fins is the webbing clear or coloured? Thats the way to differentiate between Diadema and Jenna Herra (Spelling) and I know Bailey is Diadema but not sure which it is - the spine of the fin will always be coloured its the webbing of the fin that determins it.

Wills

 

[Always Learning]

Thanks for that

With the ventrals, it's hard to say really. There's obviously the spine of the fin coloured, but then with the webbing it's red along the edges and with some colouring, yet almost clear very close to the body.... Going to have to go searching for comparisons.



Tried to get more pictures but no joy... not with what we want to see anyway

 

[star4]

Might help some pics of my diadema

Fin colouration:

 

[mattlee]

take a look here for some help. if your still not 100% then email alf and he will reply with an ID for you

http/www.lem.net/alf/css-aequidens.htm