Re: bounce: fish id wanted

[Mike & Diane Wise <apistowise@bewellnet.com>]

After reading David's description I was confused by the vague allusions
to
certain features than I should be, and it's probably due to the figures
of speech
used. (You write too much like Ingo Koslowski!) At 1" they're probably
too small
to accurately ID anyway, unless there is some unique detail I missed in
your
description.

If anyone wants me to try and ID a fish I'll need as much information as
possible. We need some standardized terms. I recommend everyone make a
copy of
the "apisto parts" found in The Krib
(http//www.thekrib.com/Apisto/apisto-parts.gif) and use these terms when
describing features. Although it doesn't list all the diagnostic
features found
on apistos, it does show the most important ones. Try to answer as many
of the
following questions as possible:

Source:
    What was it called when you got it?
    Was it wild caught or domestic?
    What other fish (if any) - not just the cichlids - came in the
shipment with
it?
Size:
    How large is it? (Use inches or metric, it doesn't matter to me.)
    Does it appear to be an adult or a juvenile?
Body shape:
    Name a species that has a similar body shape.
    Is it deep (high) bodied & laterally compressed (like A.
macmasteri)?
    Is it elongate and slightly compressed (like A. cacatuoides)? or
    Is it elongate and fusiform (like A. pertensis)?
 Male's dorsal fin size and shape:
    Name a species with a similar fin shape.
    Is it high or low?
    Does it have any extended spines?
    Is the back tip extended (at least as far back as mid-caudal)?
    Is the top edge even (like A. agassizii)?
    Is the top edge serrated (saw edged) (like A. macmasteri) ?
    Is the top edge fused together, sail-like, (like A. pertensis)? or
    Does the top have extended front spiny lappets (like A.
cacatuoides)?
Lateral spot:
    Does either sex, especially the female, show a dark lateral spot or
patch on
its side?
    If so, is it very large or nearly the same width as the lateral
band?
Lateral band: (usually better seen on females):
    What other species has a similar band?
    Is it broad (like A. agassizii)?
    Is it narrow (like A. steindachneri)?
    Is it broken into spots or a continuous band?
    If continuous, is it straight & even (like A. agassizii)?
    Is it zipper like (like A. sp. Rotpunkt/Red-spot)? or
    Is it zigzag shape (like A. borellii & A. macmasteri)?
Caudal (peduncle) spot:
    Is there a spot/patch at the base of the tail?
    If so, describe its size and shape.
    Does the lateral band merge with it or stop before it gets to it?
Tail (male's):
    What other species has a similarly shaped tail?
    What shape is it? round, squared off in the back, spade shaped or
lyretailed?

    Are there any extended tips on the top and bottom in the male?
    Are there any any spots or pattern in the tail fin?
Finally, list the dwarf cichlid books you have so that I can refer you
to certain
pictures.

I really want to help you, so if you can get me as much of the above
info as
possible I'll refer you to some possible species your fish could be.

Mike Wise


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