a little help with an id please

[cichlidaddiction]

I know viejas can b very hard to id when small so ive been waiting to ask. My little guy is about 4 inches and i hope big enough for someone to help me id this little guy

 

[Whatdahpho]

Flower Horn dude

 

[duanes]

At 4 inches most Vieja are very similar. Looks a bit like melanuris aka synspillum, but just for reference below is a 4" female breidhori

and a 4" bifasciatum

only sure way is to count fin rays and spines and match to a taxonomic key.
regani and argentea.

differences are very subtle at that size, and color in all is variable from location to location, so not a sure indicator. Melanurus can be red headed, or all yellow, as can be bifasciatum.

 

[almost_hurley]

Pastel ciclid


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[notho2000]

I'd say it's a 'synspilum' from the red head and 'broken' line .

 

[notho2000]

Looks like a juvie 'synspilum' from the reddish head and the broken bar (spots). My adults looked like yours when they were young. Here's a pic of a male 'synspilum and 'bifasciatum' for comparison.

 

[Psylant]

I'd say about 80% sure Synspilum/Melanurus but it's pretty early to tell just yet. The color will probably start to come in within the next inch or two quite vividly.

 

[cichlidaddiction]

thanks for the replys i kinda had to laugh to myself when the first reply said flowerhorn