Cichlid Identification?

[Sha tha Aquarist]

Hello MonsterFishKeepers,
About a month ago, I went to my lfs (Petsmart) and saw this cichlid, in a tank with Bolivian Rams, labelled as Bolivian Ram, face looks like a Bolivian Ram, but its body was quite a bit enlongated. I am not that familiar with the different Ram species, so I would like help on identifying whether this fish is indeed a ram, a hybrid, or some other kind of cichlid. Btw, I probably should have mentioned this before, but today I decided I will just buy the cichlid, to save it from the terror of petsmart. The fish isn't even an inch yet, and is being quarantined/grown out in a 20 gallon long aquarium. He seems fine and healthy so he will join my south american tank once he gets some size on him. Any help is appreciated, thanks

 

[Sha tha Aquarist]

Maybe an Apisto?

 

[isde02]

The pics are to small to identify from, closer pics?

 

[Sha tha Aquarist]

The pics are to small to identify from, closer pics?

Hold on, let me try to get better pictures for ya

 

[Sha tha Aquarist]

The pics are to small to identify from, closer pics?

The cichlid is hiding under one of the cave structures, so im still trying to get pics of it in the light. But here are some closer pictures

 

[Sha tha Aquarist]

The pics are to small to identify from, closer pics?

This is the best I could get

 

[tlindsey]

Apistogramma

 

[Sha tha Aquarist]

Apistogramma

Ah! Just like I thought! An apisto wouldnt do well in an aggressive/ semi aggresive south american tank right? I may just throw him in there and see how he does though once he gets bigger. Any tips on keeping Apistos? I am sure if Petsmart can do it, I can do it better

 

[tlindsey]

Community dwarf cichlid, must not have aggressive tank mates. They are best kept in groups to spread out aggression ratio 2 to three females per 1 male. They do well with small tetra's.

 

[Sha tha Aquarist]

Community dwarf cichlid, must not have aggressive tank mates. They are best kept in groups to spread out aggression ratio 2 to three females per 1 male. They do well with small tetra's.

Thanks! This little guy is pretty aggresive, he was tearing up the bala sharks and rams (which were twice and even triple his size) in the tank at petsmart. My south american tank has 3 convicts 1 blood parrot and 2 chocolate cichlids (also 1 bichir lol but he's not south american) Nobody is that aggressive with one another, just a little chasing. Do you think the Apisto would be fine in that tank? There are plenty of natural structures that he could hide in. Nobody is over 5 inches just yet but by the time the Apisto gets large enough, the largest might be around 7-8 inches or so. I have a piece of driftwood that has holes in it just large enough for the apisto. I also have many cave structures in the tank. Oh yeah, i also have 3 buenos aires tetra in the tank too, which are also pretty aggressive.