A free Mystery Cichlid

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Gruff Master

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Oct 27, 2009
3,627
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St. Augustine, Fl
www.alexteralbury.com
My friend had this thrown in the bag with the purchase of his Dovii x RTM about two months ago as a mystery fish. It lived in a 40gal hex with about ten Convicts at his house. My friend decided to release his Convicts in his pond along with this guy. I didn't want him to be devoured by the Bass and Brim so my friend gave it to me. I have no idea what it is. I believe it is some kind of Vieja (like my others), maybe even a mix of Vieja. From what I was told it originated from a breeder's pond with various cichlids. What do you guys think it is? I don't have the best camera and the fish is only an inch at the most, so the images may not reveal enough to judge the species. I just thought I'd give it a try. What is the Mystery Cichlid?

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I was thinking it may be a Synspilum. I have one in the tank with him that is growing rapidly at 4" already. The little fish is starting to get some of the same colors in his fins. But the eyes are not the same. They have these black marks bordering them that look like thick eyebrows, like a frown. He is also a very brave fish (except when facing the camera). When the others flee during water changes and sudden movements , he is always front and center. I sit in front of the tank and he comes right up to the glass and faces me. He's the smallest and the bravest.
 
It has the coloring of a synspilum, but alot of the vieja's have that coloration when small. It also seems to be alittle more elongated then a synspilum who tend to be a little taller. Also you have the one picture where he's barred (possibly stress colors) and i have yet to see a synspilum get barred like that. It does remind me of a young paratheraps fenestratus, i've seen them go from that typical young vieja coloration to barred and back depending on mood and tankmates. I put a few that were being chewed up in one tank with convicts and they got those bars and kept them till they were moved to another tank again. Good luck on the ID, in any case you will know fore sure when he's older
 
Just peep'ed the vid, and although i didnt think the above pictured fish resembles anything in the video it was a cool video
 
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