Calloplesiops argus
- Thread starter Moort82
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eatbreakfast
New member
I used to think this was true too, but actually is not.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/12/short
Fishbase also lists it as valid.
ThRoewer
New member
That article doesn't really prove much more than that they may be a local color morph.
And this ichtiological investigation comes to the conclusion that they are conspecific (= same species):
Synonymy and Distribution of Calloplesiops (Pisces: Plesiopidae)
I've seen more significant morphological and color differences in a single Solomon percula shipment to suggest there are actually different species than between altivelis and "argus".
I had 4 pairs of C. altivelis and was breeding them.
A friend of mine had an adult and fully grown "argus" pair that were already fully grown when he got them. Unfortunately he wasn't raising their offspring.
Though I found a picture of a juvenile online:
It is a bit different in the spot size and the spots being in line, but otherwise looks just like an equally sized altivelis.
Calloplesiops can get really old (30+ years) and size is by no means an indicator of age. Also the head shape, fin length and body proportions changes after an individual changes from female to male. This transition takes quite a while. I had a 10 year old spawning male that I raised from the egg and he didn't have the fully developed male features at that age:
So while they are slightly different in color, the current scientific evidence speaks against them being two different species.
And this ichtiological investigation comes to the conclusion that they are conspecific (= same species):
Synonymy and Distribution of Calloplesiops (Pisces: Plesiopidae)
I've seen more significant morphological and color differences in a single Solomon percula shipment to suggest there are actually different species than between altivelis and "argus".
I had 4 pairs of C. altivelis and was breeding them.
A friend of mine had an adult and fully grown "argus" pair that were already fully grown when he got them. Unfortunately he wasn't raising their offspring.
Though I found a picture of a juvenile online:
It is a bit different in the spot size and the spots being in line, but otherwise looks just like an equally sized altivelis.
Calloplesiops can get really old (30+ years) and size is by no means an indicator of age. Also the head shape, fin length and body proportions changes after an individual changes from female to male. This transition takes quite a while. I had a 10 year old spawning male that I raised from the egg and he didn't have the fully developed male features at that age:
So while they are slightly different in color, the current scientific evidence speaks against them being two different species.
Moort82
New member
My altivelis is bigger than the argus I saw and it is still sporting the same colouration as a smaller one which is much different to the argus. To me seeing them both in the flesh they are different. I've been to wholesalers here in England and saw hundreds of betta's in my time and some have been monsters and sported the same jet black colour and larger white spots. There have also only been a odd of the brown with smaller spotted individuals. So I find it hard to believe that it is adult colour.
Also in my opinion the pectoral fins were markedly larger in the argus as mentioned in the article linked above, and the mouth profile was more slender and pointed. Admittedly this is a comparison between just two individuals.
The colour of the fins is subtle but stunning on the argus with yellow and blue horizontal lines throughout, and the lack of jet black for contrast doesn't detract from its beauty.
I'm assuming that they are the same in terms of care, hardiness and longevity...........
Also in my opinion the pectoral fins were markedly larger in the argus as mentioned in the article linked above, and the mouth profile was more slender and pointed. Admittedly this is a comparison between just two individuals.
The colour of the fins is subtle but stunning on the argus with yellow and blue horizontal lines throughout, and the lack of jet black for contrast doesn't detract from its beauty.
I'm assuming that they are the same in terms of care, hardiness and longevity...........
ThRoewer
New member
The findings are still valid and have for sure more scientific foundation than the observations on some random fish found in the aquarium trade without precise knowledge of their collection site.
Color is something that should be taken with a grain of salt whe it comes to species definitions. Color forms can be dramatically different based on local variations (just look at all the different local color forms of Amphiprion clarkii).
The true test of species is physiological/anatomical (skeletal) differences combined with geographic range. And based on those C. argus is a synonym of C. altivelis.
Color is something that should be taken with a grain of salt whe it comes to species definitions. Color forms can be dramatically different based on local variations (just look at all the different local color forms of Amphiprion clarkii).
The true test of species is physiological/anatomical (skeletal) differences combined with geographic range. And based on those C. argus is a synonym of C. altivelis.
ThRoewer
New member
I'm pretty sure about that. If you can get a pair I would definitely go for it.
In my opinion all Plesiops and Calloplesiops are way underrated for their appearance, hardiness and reef compatibility.
Plus they get really old compared to many other fish. 30 years shouldn't be a problem at all.
eatbreakfast
New member
Actually, more recently, in 1983 Calloplesiops argus was reexamined by Conde´ and found to be valid. Also it is not just a regional variant, as their ranges overlap, but C. argus is much more restricted. As Moort mentioned it is not just the variation in spots but also the color on the fins, and of significant taxonomic importance is the difference in size of the pelvic fins as well.
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