(2nd time lucky, trying to post!) Help 'Mr Hunky' find his identity!

[I_love_my_cichlid]

Not sure if my first and last post went up ... hence, am trying again!

Ok ...

I have what I think to be a Vieja Synspillum. His body shape is just the same as one, although - his colour goes from a soft pink (on his fins and head) to white (on his body) to a dark merky pink (on his fins and head) to a dark grey (on his body). Can anyone tell me if I am on the right track? Is he a Vieja? Or Red Head?

Secondly, I was wondering if the colourings on a fish will identify its species, or if its more so the body shape, rather than colouring.

Thanks! And I hope to hear back from ya'll soon!

[aharris]

Really a picture would help, and if he is what you thinkhe is, you really should be asking the folks over on the Neotropical ID Forum because he's an American cichlid and not an African.

Generally, we ID our fish based both on body shape and on coloration and markings, but things may be a bit different for the New Worlds.

[punkypuffer]

have you checked on vieja bifasciatum as well? a pic would be needed to distinguish it

[I_love_my_cichlid]

Hi! I just did a search under Vieja Synspillum .. and I found this photo. Just like him .. although, not as bright colours, more soft pink etc ... So is that what he is? Even if his colour is a bit different?

[josh_shilling]

Yeah even if the colors or muted, there is a lot of variation. There is also Vieja melanurus, and bifasciatum, that look similar as young and resemble each other as adults.

[I_love_my_cichlid]

Wow! So many messeges coming from everywhere! haha .. I have a pic! My friend took it tonight. Not very good quality, but another guy, said he thinks its a "Vieja synspillus, more often called Cichlasoma synspillus"? See attached. Let me know what you think ...
I went to see the guy who sold him to me today, and he now thinks hes a Vieja Fenestratus??

Am so confused!

Ta! Bec

[I_love_my_cichlid]

Here's another ..

[bevoman]

Josh or Rex, isn't this a fesestrum?

[Rex Karr]

Yeah, the pics aren't all that great, but it is definitely not a Synspilum,

See the solid horizontal line that runs the whole length of the body, the faint vertical bars, and the red edge to the fins? None of these characteristics appear on Synspilum.

Your fish does appear to be a Fenestrata. Your very lucky to have found one in Australia.

[josh_shilling]

I agree with the fenestratum.

[I_love_my_cichlid]

Is he rare? I got him for $60 (AUS), is that a good price? Ron from the "Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>" thinks he's either a Vieja synspillus, more often called Cichlasoma synspillus." So you guys don't think so?

Thank you all so much for your help! I am loving this! lol

[Rex Karr]

Did you send your pictures to Ron? I would really hate to go against Ron Coleman's opinion if he has seen your pictures. But having kept 11 Fenestrata and 8 Synspilum, the differences are quite obvious to me and that fish is not a Synspilum.

[I_love_my_cichlid]

I did send them to him. He was so helpful, like the rest of you ..

Here's an exert from his email I just recived.

"He could be a fenestratus -- the two species are closely related and difficult to tell apart much of the time. He/she is definitely in that
group. They all come from the Southern Mexico/Belize area."

Maybe, I shoud just wait until we have the digital camera to take some clearer shots.

Since we have a closer idea to what he is, are you able to tell me a little more about the particulars of Mr Hunky? Am interested to learn everything and anything about him!

On a sader note, my Cat Fish died today. Very upsetting. No understanding why ... :o( My tank is going to be VERY quite with out him.

[Vip]

not really rex, there pretty commen here now witch is a good thing :)

[Rex Karr]

Really, Vip? I hadn't ever heard any of you Ausie guys talk about Fenestrata, so I assumed that they weren't available.



No need for clearer shots, its rather obvious that its a Fenestrata. Expect him to reach 8-11" and to be very aggressive.

[I_love_my_cichlid]

Oh no! Agressive? But he is so placid? The aquarium guy said, he's owner sold him as his beloved Oscar was picking on him (Mr Hunky), and he was taking a beating. It took him about a week in the aquarium to settle down. He hasnt even bothered with any of the other fish in my tank, and he is the biggest by far.

What do you all think, about feeding these guys gold fish feeders?

By the way, if anyone in Sydney is interested in getting one (like Mr Hunky) there is one a beautiful one at my local aquarium (so let me know if interested)

[Jason_S]

What do you all think, about feeding these guys gold fish feeders?

probably not the best idea. :) most Paratheraps/Viejas are more herbiverous and usually don't eat as much meaty foods. a good balanced diet is best but I'd give them more veggies than I would other larger new worlds. :)

the best meaty food you could give him would be krill. that might bring the red coloration out even more. :)

[Vip]

Originally posted by Rex Karr
Really, Vip? I hadn't ever heard any of you Ausie guys talk about Fenestrata, so I assumed that they weren't available.



No need for clearer shots, its rather obvious that its a Fenestrata. Expect him to reach 8-11" and to be very aggressive.


yeah i know, they didnt sell at all and mind you ive seen them in alot of LFS about 2 years ago or so now, but the thing was no one would buy them because like alot of cichlids they looked ugly when they were young and no one wanted them so now what alot of LFS do is put a pic on the tank of what they look like when they are an adult but with also a warning on how agressiver they are, seems to be working now.

[Vip]

oh and i might add, i had a chance to pick up a blackbelt and one of these cichlids 2 years ago at $6 each they were about 2" in size.
my lfs just opened and had everything really cheap (still are cheap) but i had no idea what they were back then and being new to the hobby i though the only cichlids were like red devils, oscars and sevs, you showed me my first midas rex LOL, i had no idea what they were.

[josh_shilling]

They'll eat small feeders, but not really their thing.

Get a hold of some pond snails- a large Vieja will go to town on those. Pick one up, chew for a while, "CRUNCH" sound, spit out some shell. Repeat.

[I_love_my_cichlid]

I sounds like such a girl, but I don't think I could handle feeding him snails! Are blood worms ok? He loves them. He doesn't even wait for the block to defrost, just cobbels the block up as soon as it can fit in his mouth.

I've seen that 'vegi mix' (???) has been discussed? Is this good for them? What is a good brand, available in Aus?

Am still shocked about this talk about him being aggressive! hahaha

[I_love_my_cichlid]

Re: the Vegi mix, do you all acutally mean vegitables? Or a special mix???

[Vip]

shocked about how is agressive? heh wait till he hits 10" try to put your hand in the tank and then you will see agressive :P

[Ash]

Originally posted by Rex Karr
Your fish does appear to be a Fenestrata. Your very lucky to have found one in Australia.

Here's a link to adult fenestratum pics on an Aussie forum I frequent. Nice looking fish IMO, though I prefer my synspilium, even though he's a big wuss :D

Click me (http://ace.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=10803&hl=fenestratum)

[I_love_my_cichlid]

Hi All,

I have finally returned with better pics of Hunky. He has grown quite a bit since my last post.

Do we all still agree he is a Vieja Fenestratus?


Thanks,

Bec

[Rex Karr]

I remember your post now! Yes he is definitely a Fenestratum and a VERY good looking one at that.