Xingu lateral stripe

[victionOne]

Beautiful fish and thanks for the filtration help. The ones with full spangling look very unique.

I don't think the colors have anything to do with sex and the "dip down" bellies just has to do with how much food is in that belly.

 

[gangster]

HCR, your theory makes sense cuz I do have bright ones and dark ones. I thought the dark ones were because I housed them in a bad tank but they are in the same tank now and the darkness remains. I'm not a fish fondler and don't care to spawn these so I'll just keep observing. This spangle theory came up when Huey and I talked. I maybe going down the wrong path guys. I'll keep you all posted. Either way I got some of each.

HOw are you going down the wrong path ken? Your fishkeeping/cichla keeping is top notch! But you do have a gang of hot cichla....xingu, brokos and bahia's. If you think you have too many lmk and il take a few off your hands Or you could always set up another pond.....but make a green house cover for it...and then you could grow some cool tropical plants in it as well. Suprised you havent grabbed a couple wc kelberi or azuls...why not?

 

[kendragon]

Beautiful fish and thanks for the filtration help. The ones with full spangling look very unique.

I don't think the colors have anything to do with sex and the "dip down" bellies just has to do with how much food is in that belly.

I'm beginning to see the light.
They're too young to show their real belly. So yah the current bulges could very well be baby fat. I created this thread because I though maybe the spangle and stripe is an indication of sex of the xingu. At this point, I'm thinking the stripe and spangle is an indicator of maturity. However, as HCR eluded to there is a difference in color. All ten of mine are in the same tank eating the same food and yet I got a big one that is dark and a big one that is light. Same with the smaller ones.

HOw are you going down the wrong path ken? Your fishkeeping/cichla keeping is top notch! But you do have a gang of hot cichla....xingu, brokos and bahia's. If you think you have too many lmk and il take a few off your hands Or you could always set up another pond.....but make a green house cover for it...and then you could grow some cool tropical plants in it as well. Suprised you havent grabbed a couple wc kelberi or azuls...why not?

I'm just learning on this forum. It's discussions like this that help me and others.
I appreciate the compliment. It's because of my small tanks I have to pick and choose what I keep. I love to keep more but all I have are 260g, 225g, and a 100g.
Morgan, you'll be the first to know if I reduce my stock but I have NEVER sold or got rid of any yet. I grow everyone of them from 1.5"...how could I rehome them?
As far as a pond, I'm working on a 1.5/5.5 kW heater with wlimproducts.