Vieja/Paranettroplus Regani

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IMG_0216[1].JPGHere's one of my Argentea. I don't see ANY red flecks anywhere on my "regani" at all. But they do have different color than the Argentea--slightly blue/grey. The Argentea are clearly black and white. I have a new tank coming in soon, I'm gonna order some more Regani from somewhere and see how THEY look.

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Here are pics of two different strains of V. regani. The "Mojarro Pinto" variety from Cichlid Connection had prominent dark spots on their sides, whereas the ones from The Wetspot lacked these markings almost entirely. The latter were much more peaceful as well. Still, both are easily recognized as regani based on the blue/green iridescence and the red spots on each scale and on the unpaired fins.

V. regani 'Mojarro Pinto' from Cichlid Connection
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Purchased from Wetspot (these never sported prominent spots on side)
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Here is a V. argentea. The base color and the intensity of the vertical bands is somewhat variable in this species. This variation may be a reflection of the parents and/or where the stock originated. I've seen some that pretty much lack bands entirely, although that may be a consequence of mood and stress, I'm not sure. Unlike V. regani, there are no well-defined blue/green iridescent markings on the face, and the scales (usually) have dots of black. I find that they also have a deeper profile than V. regani.

V. argentea
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It can be tough to tell regani/argentea apart, especially as juvie fish.

Argentea like many other vieja can change colors with their moods and do so frequently. Argentea as well as syns & melanarus do this the most frequently from the viejas that I have kept.
 
It can be tough to tell regani/argentea apart, especially as juvie fish.

Argentea like many other vieja can change colors with their moods and do so frequently. Argentea as well as syns & melanarus do this the most frequently from the viejas that I have kept.

Nah, I think me and Joel got 5 Argentea, and 5 hybrids that looked kinda like Regani when they were 2 inches. It happens...
 
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