amphilophus confusion

[kav138]

I have been out of the hobby for several years, and upon returning I have found, what appears to have been explosion, in the number of amphilophus fish now available. I have been trying to learn as much as possible about each fish, but am not having much luck.

Jeff Rapps has a number of types available (amarillo, chancho, etc), and I was wondering the following:

1. Are there many differences in aggression?
2. Are there many or noted differeces in interactivity? One of my favorite fish was a citrinellum who was very interactive with things outside his tank.
3. Are ther variations in nuchal hump growth?
4. What are the differences in size?

I would love to hear from some people or be shown a link to a cite that gives the needed info.
Thanks in advance

 

[TheOscarGuy]

1. Are there many differences in aggression?

Yes. But that can be attributed to individual personalities as well.

2. Are there many or noted differeces in interactivity? One of my favorite fish was a citrinellum who was very interactive with things outside his tank.

Yes. An example, trimacs are not that interactive and mostly shy. Others have varying degrees of interaction.

3. Are ther variations in nuchal hump growth?

Chanchos have a very large head, but I think they don't have a nuchal hump. Citrinellums have a very high body and almost always show a hump, labs don't have it as pronounced.
It also depends on how removed the specimen is from the wild counterparts.

4. What are the differences in size?

Start from chanchos...to lyonsi? Or maybe there is a smaller amphilophus I am missing.

I think a lot of classification has been done based on locality, diet, and hunting behaviors as well. The family shares a lot of similarity in colors (the usual gray with black vertical bars), but looking closely they start looking different.

 

[VRWC]

An example, trimacs are not that interactive and mostly shy. Others have varying degrees of interaction.

This couldnt be further from the truth. I have had 6 trimacs, up to a foot long, and EVERY single one of them was the most interactive fish Ive ever had or seen. NEVER hid, always the first to get food and beat anyone down that was there around them thinking they were getting it first. One would bang the lids on my tank until I went over and either fed or stuck my hand in and touched him.

Not shy at all.

 

[Aquanero]

"One would bang the lids on my tank until I went over and either fed or stuck my hand in and touched him."

I can't beleave you said that, mine does the same thing. When I feed him I started touching him on the head. he then he started comming to the top of the tank just looking for attention. If I would take the food out and that's not what he wanted he turns his back and then comes back to the top if I reach in and give him a scratch he goes back about his bussiness. It's very cool. My RD on the other hand will launch half way out of his tank to bite you, also very cool but not the same, lol.

 

[TheOscarGuy]

This couldnt be further from the truth. I have had 6 trimacs, up to a foot long, and EVERY single one of them was the most interactive fish Ive ever had or seen. NEVER hid, always the first to get food and beat anyone down that was there around them thinking they were getting it first. One would bang the lids on my tank until I went over and either fed or stuck my hand in and touched him.

Not shy at all.

And mine too isn't shy. However, most people have had a different experience. For example, see cichlidscene.com description of the fish.

 

[VRWC]

And mine too isn't shy. However, most people have had a different experience. For example, see cichlidscene.com description of the fish.

I meant to say "This couldnt be further from the truth in my experience." Not saying you or anyone else couldnt have had this experience. Sorry.

 

[VRWC]

"One would bang the lids on my tank until I went over and either fed or stuck my hand in and touched him."

I can't beleave you said that, mine does the same thing. When I feed him I started touching him on the head. he then he started comming to the top of the tank just looking for attention. If I would take the food out and that's not what he wanted he turns his back and then comes back to the top if I reach in and give him a scratch he goes back about his bussiness. It's very cool. My RD on the other hand will launch half way out of his tank to bite you, also very cool but not the same, lol.

yep. I have a 4" one now in a large growout community tank and it does what your RD does...jumps clear out of the water for the food. These guys are definitely one of my favorites!

 

[shamrock]

I've had many Tris and in my exp. not one was shy-always the most person interactive and all of my eat like gluttons.

 

[cchhcc]

Trimacs are some of the best glass bangers in the business!

Truth is, most of these Amphilophus are going to behave pretty much the same, boisterous and aggressive. All get nuchals humps in the right situation too.

 

[FIN01]

It doesn't seem like Trimacs get much of a nuchal hump as they simply have a defined forehead. Like the one in TheOscarGuy's avatar, it has a clear defined forehead but not much of a hump. At any rate, I'd say the lyonsi is the only exception from the general rulse of amphilophus. They don't get quite as big or quite as aggressive, but share many similarities in shape to Trimacs.