For the first time we were able to import Acestrorhynchus heterolepis, which has been described scientifically as early as 1878 by Cope from Peru. Our specimens originate from Venezuela; it was a mixed shipment of these fish and A. microlepis*. A. heterolepis has two dark horizontal bands, thus reminding a bit in A. isalinae; however, A. heterolepis is unique in the genus due to a patch of scales of different size immediately behind the opercle. At that place A. microlepis has a small black blotch.
Our specimens are currently 7-9 cm long; according to the scientific literature both species can attain a maximum length of about 35 cm.
* it is posssible the these fish belong to the species A. apurensis; A. apurensis and A. microlepis differ only in the length of the snout compared with the head length; it is impossile to tell both species apart without comparative material.
For our customers: the animals have code 202053 (A. heterolepis) and 202203 (A. microlepis) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
