peacemaker92

I went to the store yesterday to buy my new stock of Rummynose tetras when I saw these cute lil' fellas in a separated tank. The shopkeeper said they're very expensive and can only live alone. I might save up to get one of them but have no idea what they are. When I looked at them, I was guessing probably rams or cichlid, but not very sure...

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Nick Goody

Looks like a Firemouth Cichlid to me.

peacemaker92

Can't be... It doesn't have the reddish color under its mouth.

Butterfly

It's a cichlid of some kind but not a Ram. Wish we had a more side on look at it.
carol

Nutter

Definitley not a Firemouth. The black spot on Firemouths isn't near the base of the tail like this one. Not all Firemouths have red chins. I have 3 right now that don't.

Looks like either Amphilopus Longimanus - Red Breasted Cichlid. 7inches, Central America. Known terrorist.

OR

Hoparchus Psittacus - Parrot Cichlid. 14inches, Brazil. Known terrorist.

I have also seen young Texas Cichlids that look quite similar to this. Even one of the Geophagus sub species maybe, though they are generally quite peaceful.

Those are all just guesses though. It could really be any of about 50 different species that look similar. Really need more of a side on pic.

peacemaker92

Hmm... Thanks so much for the input, everyone. I'll try to get another photo and post it on this thread. But might only visit the store again next week. I'll keep you guys updated.

btate617

I just noticed this thread.
I don't think it would be Hoplarchus Psittacus, however if it turns out it is buy it and all they have chances are you won't find them again in a LFS. The reason I don't think they are is the head slope and mouth area seem wrong to me.
I agree with Nutter, not a firemouth.
Could be a Texas but not pure maybe a hybred of something. Even young Texas' have lots of spangles throughout the body.
I would say some type of Central, a side pic would be great.
I would guess something along the lines of Vieja or a Paratheraps species or a mix of Possibly a young Paratheraps Hartwegi.
What do they have it listed as, or they aren't sure either.

Brian

Jaysee

It's definitley a new world cichlid - look like a young JD to me....but they aren't expensive.

Amanda

Looks like a washed out Jewel to me.

Tony G.

kinda looks like a skinny severum to me LOL
but hat do i know... im no cichlid expert! i can barelly tell which ones are convicts and oscars

Nick Goody

I still say it's a young Firemouth

Slug

Definently not a firemouth.

My first guess is a type of Vieja

peacemaker92

Thanks for the responses. I tried getting a side pic during my last visit but it kept moving around and it was a 35 gal tank with 4 separators for 4 of these fish. I asked the shop keeper but he said he has no idea. I really want to buy this fish, I'm hoping to soon get a 55 gal. I know they probably can't be in a community or with each other because they are in separators. Thanks for the names. I'll try to google it and compare the photos if I can.

Jaysee

How can he not know?? Moreover, how can he say that they're very expensive when he doesn't know what it is?

I think he's trying to sell you a green texas at a hefty markup.

peacemaker92

haha he's one of the workers there who takes care of the shop while the manager is always away. I rarely see the manager. All the prices of the livestock and items in the shop is marked. He's the only worker in the small shop and knows very little english.

I've just compared the pictures on google and it's really hard to tell with the given names. They all seem different. The Jack Dempseys though have the same shape of fins and body as this fish, but its just the coloration I'm not sure. Does young JD's colors look very light as this one?

Nick Goody

Ok, maybe not a Firemouth Perhaps a young Flowerhorn? That would explain why it's expensive.

Jaysee

Firemouths live in family units, not by themselves like the unknowledgable worker said.

Young JDs do look different (lighter/less markings) from mature ones, but the only ones that would be considdered expensive is the electric blue (ebjd), which it clearly is not.

btate617

100% not a jack or a firemouth. Jack dempsay's are a longer fish even when young and this fish already has a "tall" body. Body is also wrong for a firemouth.

I still would say something along the lines of Vieja or a Paratheraps. Paratheraps aren't seen nearly as often as Vieja so there is a good chance it isn't Paratheraps either, even though it looks like a young P. Hartwegi. A much better chance of it being a Vieja species, the problem is lots of Vieja's these days are mixed with other Vieja's. Being they don't know what it is I doubt it is anything special, However I will say there are some very cool Vieja mixes out there. I don't mean it isn't a nice or cool fish, I just don't see how the can tell you it is an expensive fish without knowing what it is. If it was some rare/expensive fish I am more than sure they would have it labelled to show it off know what I mean? Somewhere they have to have an invoice of that fish coming into the shop, even though the invoice may not be what it truely is it would be a starting point.

Brian

Chances are the reason they are seperated is young Centrals are rough on eachother, it is tough to sell an expensive fish with ripped up fins.