Any pics of excellent quality Blackbelt Cichlids?

[bmeasure]

I have heard many people complement my Blackbelt, so I'm wondering how well he compares with the best? So far I haven't seen a better specimen, although I'm VERY sure they are out there. I just want to see what the potential is for Veija Maculicauda sp.

His name is Bruce and in these pics he's about 9 1/2" long and just starting to really show some maturity. He has lost just a slight bit of coloring (peaking in the 2-3 year range) when he showed quite a bit of gold, turquoise, yellow, and blue. His red coloration has remained and still looks great! He was very grey and unimpressive until about 1 1/2 years old when he finally started to show some decent colors.

Here are a couple at 3 years old:

 

[bmeasure]

He's now about 4 years old and is finally growing a smaller nuchal hump (head hump). He is definately a character and is a great deal of fun to interact with. He's also less shy around visitors and will be quite bold in the presence of visitors. He's now just over 4 years of age and although some of the coloration has faded, I really enjoy the more mature look of him. He's really taken on a great presence and has spectacular character when you turn the room lights out and leave the tank lights on (he can see his own reflection). He's all alone, except for a sailfin pleco (about 9") and he definately shows that he would conquer more than this modest 150 custom tank (that I built). Even though these are not the most aggressive of species, do not underestimate their ability to hold their own and even take out bigger aggressors. He killed a 7" Jack Dempsey when he was about 4". The JD was in excellent shape and I always keep nitrates below 20ppm with frequent water changes. Until that point the JD was the tank king!

Now here are some as he's started to show some maturing at 4 years of age (these are pretty recent as of 6/06):

 

[Honda12]

Wow he is really nice, mine is only 3in and grey. He looks spoild, that must be why he looks so great.

 

[ProblEmZ]

Wow very nice Blackbelt! *adds Vieja Maculicauda to list of future pets.

 

[cchhcc]

 

[K C]

You have a very beautiful fish

 

[davo]

it looks nice. im not very familiar with this fish, is it a hybrid of sorts?

 

[bmeasure]

it looks nice. im not very familiar with this fish, is it a hybrid of sorts?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is a Central American cichlid named Veija Maculicauda, said to grow to a max of 16" (mine is 12" now). They have been reported to live up to 15 years, so like most big cichlids if cared for correctly, they become part of the family!

Now for the other pic of the blackbelt I saw.....How old and is that a female or male? My guess is a female, about the same age as mine, maybe a bit older. I don't see the extensions on the dorsal or the red in the dorsal or anal fins, so female is my guess. Nice red in the throat area though! I've seen some BB's without the red in the throat....not as nice looking to me. Give me some more info please.

 

[cchhcc]

bmeasure:

Those are two year old pics of my big male maculicauda. He was 9-10" or so and sub-dominant in that photo -- quite a bit bigger and beefier now. I need some new photos!

Wild caught, but the name of the river excapes me. I have it listed on my home PC though.... I'll catch up later.

 

[Jason_S]

these are some awesome looking black belts guys. cchhcc, you definitely need to get some new pics of your guy.