Different body shapes of same cichlid species

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cichlid8336

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Apr 21, 2010
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New York
I thought this was an interesting point of discussion, but why are there varying differences in body shape within the same species of cichlids. For example I have seen Umbees with humps.. no humps... high body.. long gated body.... longer higher dorsal fins etc.. yes Genetics, but can this be cultivated based on diet?... water conditions?.... size of tank?

Just something to discuss.
 
Genetics play a big part. Also some species are found in different locations and have evolved different body structures for their specific habitat. Read about the different varieties of H. Carpintis.
 
Very true.. environment has to play a big part along with diet and genetics... but in some cases such a drastic difference in appearance.
 
cokeisamidas said:
Most of the time shory body fish are bred with parrot cichlid

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Actually no they are not, its actually rarely the case. The short body you see in most fish is a naturally occurring deformity.
 
I say diet plays a huge part. I've seen some obese fish in my day. It makes some look round, while under feed fish look longer. Plus a lot of fish in the fish trade with weaker genetics would have been food in the wild, but we mate them and their bad genetics carry on. Good topic. :)

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Yes food and genetics and environment all play a part, but to what magnitude for each? Personally... one does not know fully what genes can be unlocked. Some fish are not raised to there full blown flourishing potential if kept on a poor diet and poor water conditions. I feel food\diet is essential. In the wild its trace elements and of course what ever is available for consumption, but even in the wild your diet can be poor depending on environmental\social circumstance among its own species.
 
Take a look at wild red devil lips...
 
I personally believe Genetics and diet can play a role. But the traits that can be passed along have to come down to the linage and adaptation of the given Cichlid. Interesting discussion, look at alot of the breeders hear Members that have breed there stock and alot of them are line breeding there fish for given traits. But there alot of variables that contribute to the evolution aspect. For instance environment in the wild at a given locale can adapt due to there diet,water chemistry sunlight etc.What's avalible and also the strongest fish survive. Just some thoughts. This hobby is great there alway's room to learn.
 
Members of a species may live in slow moving water, others of the same species fast, the body shape can adapt to this.
In any one spawn, there will be variations in order for the species to survive if a habitat changes. Let's say a volcano erupts, cover vegetation dies off, this may allow a normally recessive color morph to dominate.
In Quatro Cienegas Mexico, Herichthys minckleyi will favor a dentition that fits the availability of certain foods. When snails are plentiful, large jaws are favored, if the snail population crashes, piscivore jaws will dominate. And all 3 can be found much of the time. Color also changes, although their normal color is much like a Texas cichlid, I have seen yellow and black morphs.
 
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