alto comp question

[fermi]

Hello, I was wondering if there was a difference between the alto comp gold head and orange face? Is it a geographical difference or are they completely different genus?

thanks

[merlyn2221]

http://www.cichlids.com/info/Altolam..._compressiceps
http://www.theaquariumexchange.com/a...ressiceps.html
http://users.kent.net/~lisab/Comp.html

They are found all over the lake, but variations of the species do not constitute a different genus, necessicarily. More commonly it is that the "gold head" or any other appelation like muzi, kipili, etc. comes from the region along the coast of the lake where that color variant is found. For example, the Altolamprologus compressiceps "kigoma" comes from the northeastern part of the lake in Tanzania named Kigoma, whereas the variant "muzi" comes from the southeastern part of the lake in Tanzania. Some color variants come from the eastern shores of the lake in the DRC.
This is a very interesting species. I am currently working on a color variant map for it. If I ever get to complete it, I'll let you know.

[fermi]

Hey merlyn, thanks for your response and I apologize for taking so long to get back to you. I would be very interested in seeing the variant map when you finish it.
Also, thanks for the links, if you have anymore pointing in the direction of alto comps, please post away.

Thanks again, fermi.

[fermi]

Also, the picture found of the alto comp "orange" at the aquarium exchange has a faint dot pattern covering its body, is this common amongst "orange" comps? I ask becasue my male "orange" does not have this pattern and he is already well over 3" in size.

[finz]

Seems to be some confusion over 'scientific' naming of african cichlids so I thought I'd explain.

Genus = Altolamprologus
Species = compressiceps
Variety = 'Goldhead'

Genus = Altolamprologus
Species = calvus
Variant = 'Inkfin'

As you can see, compressiceps and calvus are two different species in the same Genus. The word "Variant" can be substituted with "variety", "color morph", or something the importer made up, as the case may be. I have not heard of these fish being broken into subspecies but if that were the case, subspecies would either be just before or in place of 'variant'

Hope this helps - I'm pretty sure I got it right, Biology class was a long time ago......

[fermi]

Thanks for the info. As for biology class, don't remind me
If I never have to make another one of those classification tables I won't be too disappointed