Vieja synspilum
- Thread starter LukeOscar
- Start date
The term synspillum (as "newworld" covertly alluded) is no longer considered a valid name.
That term synspillum (thru DNA sequencing). is now considered to be simply a location variant of melanurus.
You may ask why that name was chosen. over the other....
In 1862 Gunther was first to describe the cichlid we know as melanurus.
in 1935 Hobbs described the same cichlid thinking it a separate species because its different colors, as synspilum... but
With DNA determining they are both the same species, the oldest description name takes precidence.
And in truth the photos above, (another comment I interpret as a subtle covert "newworld"reference, (he can easily correct me if I'm wrong)) do not look to be a pure specimens of either. species, or location variant.
Not surprising in todays mutt littered cichlid world.
Young melanurus above.
That term synspillum (thru DNA sequencing). is now considered to be simply a location variant of melanurus.
You may ask why that name was chosen. over the other....
In 1862 Gunther was first to describe the cichlid we know as melanurus.
in 1935 Hobbs described the same cichlid thinking it a separate species because its different colors, as synspilum... but
With DNA determining they are both the same species, the oldest description name takes precidence.
And in truth the photos above, (another comment I interpret as a subtle covert "newworld"reference, (he can easily correct me if I'm wrong)) do not look to be a pure specimens of either. species, or location variant.
Not surprising in todays mutt littered cichlid world.
Young melanurus above.
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yea it wouldnt surprise me either. we had discussed a few weeks ago about the more recent flood of lower quality fish in the market. in my opinion from a lack of culling and a surg in popularity with odd ball fish. they were sold as vieja synspilum. but big als canada is known to not be overly accurate on labeling stock. in your opinion do you have any ideas what this pair might be hybrid wise? as always thanks for the incredibly knowledgeable responses. i feel like i learn more with a single Duanes comment then a week of trying to google stuff LOL
With hybrids its really impossible to know, because of the scrambling and rearranging of genes.
And what's the point, a mutt is a mutt is a mutt.
You can give it an Anime name, but in the end its still just a mutt.
If you like the individual, that's all good.
And Big Al's may have been told they were what they were sold as. But .....
If your like me and want to breed only legit species, juvie mutts are only good as feeders, and large enough mutts are only good for the frying pan and later with some rice and a bottle of hard cider..
And what's the point, a mutt is a mutt is a mutt.
You can give it an Anime name, but in the end its still just a mutt.
If you like the individual, that's all good.
And Big Al's may have been told they were what they were sold as. But .....
If your like me and want to breed only legit species, juvie mutts are only good as feeders, and large enough mutts are only good for the frying pan and later with some rice and a bottle of hard cider..
They could be a mix of anything but my guess is one of the parents was a Vieja maculicauda. I have been keeping different Vieja on and off for the last 15 years.
thats good to hear. i was hoping someone would chime in and have an idea. from what i have seen in my area synspillum are the cheaper type. if your right it just means i did better then i thought
Caught a couple of weeks ago in florida…another question what are these? All caught within a few yards of each other, on a side note I’ve caught a ton of “Synspilum in belize from the same location and they varied in appearance but the florida ones I’m wary of…
