Crenicichla ID

[altums]

Hi there, eh
Can anyone identify this Crenicichla for me please

[calumma]

Crenicichla sp."Atabapo".
Nice picture!

[altums]

Crenicichla sp."Atabapo".
Nice picture!

Thanks, eh. We picked up 6, all there were, even though I didn't know what they were at the time.
There is a great deal of confusion though between the Atabapo and the Tapajos spp. If you look at the picture of my last pr. from Oliver, they were purchased as Tapajos II and yet they seem identical to the Atabapo
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated. I do understand that the young and the juveniles look completely different, but is it possible to identify by visual inspection, which is which other than knowing the collection site BTW ... these picture of the adult pikes were stolen from the internet. If they are yours and you don't want them posted, I will remove them immediately
Jim
TTFN, eh
Jim

[altums]

OK Let's try to put those pictures in againhttp://s684.photobucket.com/albums/vv207/altum/

[RayQ]

That is a great looking Pike, there is a ton of confusion around the Lugubris type Crenicichla, I wish that there was a definitive source of images for ID purposes - juvie and adult coloration would be great!

[Marcus]

Crenicichla sp."Atabapo".
Nice picture!

Thanks, eh. We picked up 6, all there were, even though I didn't know what they were at the time.
There is a great deal of confusion though between the Atabapo and the Tapajos spp. If you look at the picture of my last pr. from Oliver, they were purchased as Tapajos II and yet they seem identical to the Atabapo
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated. I do understand that the young and the juveniles look completely different, but is it possible to identify by visual inspection, which is which other than knowing the collection site BTW ... these picture of the adult pikes were stolen from the internet. If they are yours and you don't want them posted, I will remove them immediately
Jim
TTFN, eh
Jim

I think you are confusing fish still. There are currently 2 different species coming in as Atabapo pikes. The first, which is being marketed as "Atabapo I", is very similar to the Tapajos race known as Flame Pikes. Overall bright reddish orange color. The "Atabapo I" and "Tapajos I" are very similar fish.

In fact, looking at the pics you provided of the "Flame Pikes" I believe that this fish is an "Atabapo I"



While these 2 fish are "Tapajos I"



The only noticeable difference I have seen between the two races are body shape with the Tapajos race being a much more slender fish.

The second species is currently being marketed as "Atabapo II". This is the fish you have. To make it even more confusing they are often called Fire Pikes which is a bit of a stretch as they do not get nearly as red as the aforementioned "Atabapo I". The unique half bar pattern along the back is a dead giveaway for ID'ing the "Atabapo II" species. The fish in your initial post are definitely "Atabapo II" and will get nowhere near as red as the other 2 species being discussed.

Jeff Rapps is currently selling both races of Atabapo pike. Here they are side by side for comparison

[altums]

WOW Great info. Thanks, eh
TTFN, eh
Jim

[taeniopareius]

For the real red pike as adults when sold would there be big compatibility issues? How hardy are they?