Altum Or Scalare?

[newfishaddict]

How can I tell if my angel is an altum or scalare? I cant seem to attach a pic here.....

I have compared using books and the net, with no 100% certainty.


I THINK it is an altum; it is very large perhaps 10" or more tall with finnage, "her" pectoral fins are very long about 6", she has 4 black vertical bands with one of them between her caudal fin and body, there are thin one-inch long filaments from the top and bottom of this caudal fin. I got her when she was 1" in size 10 months ago.

Thanks for any help!
cheers

 

[kubora666]

thats a big angel!!!

 

[Tolak]

You could download a pic to image shack & post a link. Or you could do a ray count, which taked patience. I have some pages from a book written by Axelrod about ray counts with angels;

 

[newfishaddict]

wow, that takes more than patience!

wow, that takes more than patience!

http/img178.imageshack.us/img178/263/picture002hv3.jpg

If the pic is not good enough let me know...

 

[Tolak]

I lightened up your pic a little;

From what I can count, it comes up as scalare. You have to take into account the age of the research done in this book, and the amount of cross breeding, inbreeding, and outbreeding done with todays domestic angels. Some folks have found angels that are domestically bred with a high ray count, this can be explained by breeders working towards a fish with higher or wider fins. Scalare have a lower ray count than altum, that and the lack of strong tan/brown stripes between the black stripes lead me to believe it is a scalare, though the eye being black instead of red is an altum trait. Tough call, but a really nice looking angel.

If the mods cold do me a favor & be so kind to leave this link http/www.angelfish.net/yabbse/index.php So that newfishaddict could try posting this picture there it would go far in helping to identify this fish. It's an angelfish forum in the same way planet catfish is a catfish forum.

 

[newfishaddict]

Interesting, thanks for the help. I counted 47 last night (on the live fish) but it was not easy to count so I realize now if I get a good pic it should be easy....From what you say , It seems like there might not be a clear distinction between altum and scalare all the time. The research is old AND only done on wild fish so I wonder...Interesting book for certain...

I want to try to pair this one up, its extensive finnage makes me think I should try to breed her...Is paring this mature fish possible?

 

[grayboy1]

in my opinion going by your picture alone your fish is not an altum. ive had both f1 scalare. "peru" altums and real altums. your fish has black bars rather than brown. and without going too specific it just looks more like a scalare definately. but this is no loss, both are pretty hopes this helps lol