I'm thinking of purchasing an Amphilophus istlanus 'Red' from TUIC. Does anyone have any pics of them? I can't seem to find much info on this species. Are they the same as the Amph red isletas? Just proper name??? Thanks in advance for your help!
Amphilophus istlanus 'Red'
- Thread starter Jesse Lee
- Start date
Istlanus is a different fish from the Red Isletas. Istlanus is a species name. Red Isletas is a catch location/trade name for a barred amphilophus with a red breast, that I believe was thought to a citrinellus from a specific catch location.
Yup they are different fish, Istlanum are not amphilophus. Though I must admit I am not sure what the correct genus name is nowadays... nandopsis perhaps, or ex-cichlasoma, who can keep track. The istlanum has two main color morphs, red and green.
This is a (young) red istlanum that came from Dan S at Cichlids of the americas
And in this thread you can see my old green male https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/nandopsis-istlanum.395733/
As far as info about them, they are somewhat shy fish until about 6" when they become more outgoing. They are very aggressive and predatory even at a small size, and I have not been able to grow them out with swordtails or other dithers like I can most small cichlids. They hunt down and kill them as a first priority until they are all gone. They are very, very aggressive once adults. I was able to keep the green male with other cichlids that were larger than it in a 6' tank. In anything smaller, I think the fish would need to be solo. I have not bred the species, but from what I have read, spawning through a divider is the way to go, unless you want a dead female.
Overall they are one of my favorite species. Large red males are stunning and I still plan to grow one out soon (had to sell the small one above due to a move).
I'm sure the TUIC stock is quality, as always.
This is a (young) red istlanum that came from Dan S at Cichlids of the americas
And in this thread you can see my old green male https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/nandopsis-istlanum.395733/
As far as info about them, they are somewhat shy fish until about 6" when they become more outgoing. They are very aggressive and predatory even at a small size, and I have not been able to grow them out with swordtails or other dithers like I can most small cichlids. They hunt down and kill them as a first priority until they are all gone. They are very, very aggressive once adults. I was able to keep the green male with other cichlids that were larger than it in a 6' tank. In anything smaller, I think the fish would need to be solo. I have not bred the species, but from what I have read, spawning through a divider is the way to go, unless you want a dead female.
Overall they are one of my favorite species. Large red males are stunning and I still plan to grow one out soon (had to sell the small one above due to a move).
I'm sure the TUIC stock is quality, as always.
Hi Guys,
someone sent me this link asking if I could reply.
Amphilophus sp. 'Red isletas' is Amphilophus citrinellus from a specific collection location. These have not been imported to the US in nearly a decade. TUIC was the importer of these. Unfortunately exporting out of that country has not been possible for quite a while. Any that are in the hobby being passed around currently are likely from old stock or are just being marketed as so.
Currently (as of 2016) istlanus is grouped as Amphilophus. attached is a short clip of my breeding pair. Currently (as of yesterday) I am out of stock on these but will have them again in the near future.
someone sent me this link asking if I could reply.
Amphilophus sp. 'Red isletas' is Amphilophus citrinellus from a specific collection location. These have not been imported to the US in nearly a decade. TUIC was the importer of these. Unfortunately exporting out of that country has not been possible for quite a while. Any that are in the hobby being passed around currently are likely from old stock or are just being marketed as so.
Currently (as of 2016) istlanus is grouped as Amphilophus. attached is a short clip of my breeding pair. Currently (as of yesterday) I am out of stock on these but will have them again in the near future.
According to the CRC istlanus is still part of Amphilophus (Although fairly different than the Amphilophus of the Nicaraguan great lakes).
Because Nandopsis is restricted to the Caribbean cichlids, it may be moved from Amphilophus and end up in Mayaheros or even Nosferatu.
It is found on the Pacific coast of Mexico near where beanii is found (although a different river system.
A large well known city where they may be found might be Acupulco, or Zihuatanejo.
The red version is a color variant.
Because Nandopsis is restricted to the Caribbean cichlids, it may be moved from Amphilophus and end up in Mayaheros or even Nosferatu.
It is found on the Pacific coast of Mexico near where beanii is found (although a different river system.
A large well known city where they may be found might be Acupulco, or Zihuatanejo.
The red version is a color variant.
agreed. definitely possible. but for now they are Amphiliphus as I have them listed. Speaking of Mayaheros, did you know Mayaheros currently has 13 species!!