Chocolate Cichlid Question

[orkimedes]

I recently picked up a 4" Chocolate which has quickly become my favorite fish.
It has a typical fish profile, the head tapers down to the mouth/nostril area.
I was wondering if it will eventually develop that cool "crap I ran into the door" look, as shown on Rapps site.
Does this feature develop over time like a "hump" or are their more than 1 type of chocolate, with and without this feature?

Thanks.

 

[ryansmith83]

It often depends on the fish but it should fill out as it grows. Mine started out quite torpedo shaped and took on the taller, more blunt acara profile as it matured. The males sometimes develop quite a large forehead as they get older.

 

[virgil2090]

i think it happens with age,mine was 6-7 inches,mine was a male also,i think the head is more pronounced in males

 

[TahoeFish]

Mine was getting there at 5-6 inches then unfortunately died of a massive infection associated with a wound. Loved that fish but never knew if it was a male or female. Looking over the photos makes me sad.

So as of a week ago, I have two new 2 inchers who are torpedo shaped. They are out there, interacting and look to have good color, so I'm hopeful. As you found, I really like this fish.

 

[burzumaske20]

That is a nice cichlid. I wish the LFS by me didn't have 1 inch Chocolate cichlids for 30 dollars. A bit overpriced in my opinion, unless that is a fair price to others?

 

[flyingdog]

Dont think they all end up with that steep profile . They are however gorgeous fish and mine is very peaceful bordering on wimpy. Hes five years old and about 9 inchs long and an inch thick.