Cichlasoma id confirmation

[Mazan]

I was wondering if anyone here can confirm the id of my Cichlasomas. I THINK they are C. amazonarum, but could they be C. bimaculatum? They have 4 anal fin spines. I have had these fish for over 2 years, and one reason I think they are amazonarum is that the person who sold them is from a town in Ecuador close to the border with Peru, about 3 hours from where I live. The fish were sent to me, (I had actually ordered Cleithracara). He was also selling other species from Peru at that time, but of course I can't be sure of their origin, especially as the seller did not answer my messages after I told him they were not Cleithracara. I will attach a few photos taken different stages and ages..

 

[Mazan]

Oops I seem to have posted the photos twice, don’t know how to edit, sorry.

 

[Hybridfish7]

I believe cichlasoma you can identify by anal spine counts, there is a thread on here somewhere for identifying cichlasoma. I think that might be the title too. I don't know the differences by heart yet. I will say that third one is very fat though.

 

[Mazan]

I believe cichlasoma you can identify by anal spine counts, there is a thread on here somewhere for identifying cichlasoma. I think that might be the title too. I don't know the differences by heart yet. I will say that third one is very fat though.

Yes, I have seen that thread, it is very helpful but I am still not clear on the exact differences between amazonarum and bimaculatum. Mine have 4 anal fin spines as can be seen clearly in the last photo. Fitting with both those species.

 

[Mazan]

So I just looked at that thread again. I do still think they are amazonarum. They have the dark outline to the scales starting just behind the head, whereas bimaculatum have these only in the posterior part of the body. Apparently the one defining feature of amazonarum as the presence of several rows of scales extending into the dorsal and caudal fins. I couldn’t see this at first either in my fish or the ones in the Cichlasoma ID thread. However now I think I might be seeing it at the posterior end of the dorsal fin in my photos.

 

[Hybridfish7]

I haven't looked back at that thread, but I could've sworn bimaculatum has 3 anal spines as well.

 

[Mazan]

I haven't looked back at that thread, but I could've sworn bimaculatum has 3 anal spines as well.

No it has 4.

 

[Hybridfish7]

No it has 4.

Ah I see. I'd still say yours seem more like amazonarum, especially based off what you said about where they're coming from. I have a group of four normal colored ones and a huge axanthic female from when Jeff Rapps imported a group of those.

 

[Mazan]

Ah I see. I'd still say yours seem more like amazonarum, especially based off what you said about where they're coming from. I have a group of four normal colored ones and a huge axanthic female from when Jeff Rapps imported a group of those.

Do you have photos ?

 

[Hybridfish7]

Do you have photos ?

Unfortunately nothing recent, just videos of me feeding her bugs. I will say she's about 6" now, around 6 years old. I'll get you some pics when I get home.