Crenicichla Monicae/ Crencichla sp. "Troucha Trout"

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koltsixx

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Got these guys in yesterday and they've been fairly reclusive since but I managed to take some shots. They came in with HITH but hey they where bigger then advertised and healthy otherwise. One male about 14 inches and two females approx. 10 inches of a supposedly new species. They look like Johanna but the males sport some spots. Thus far they have been shy and retiring and seem to be fairly peaceful. Guess time will tell. Anyway here's the pics, hope you enjoy.
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Awesome pikes.
 
Cool looking pikes. I think you're right that they seem to be a closely aligned species with Johanna. Keep us updated on their behavior and overall care. I hope you get a compatible pair from these.
 
Awesome pikes.
Thanks for the compliment sir, glad you like 'em.

Cool looking pikes. I think you're right that they seem to be a closely aligned species with Johanna. Keep us updated on their behavior and overall care. I hope you get a compatible pair from these.
I'm hoping for a pair as well, keeping my fingers crossed. I got a little input from Vin Kutty who says this is actually C. Monicae. So it looks like I'm going to have to change the thread title but hopefully more info. will follow.

Nice grab my friend.
Thanks, I just wish I had the space so I could've gotten more.
 
Some quick info. I gleamed from the internet. Source: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1643/CI-14-169?journalCode=cope
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The following is a copy and paste of what's in the link:
A cichlid species first collected by Alfred Russell Wallace in the upper Rio Negro in 1852, lost during the transport to England but documented in drawings, is described as Crenicichla monicae on the basis of three specimens collected by the Swedish Amazonas Expedition 1923–1925. Crenicichla monicae is most similar to C. johanna, C. rosemariae, and one undescribed species which are characterized by cycloid scales, distinguishing them from other species of the genus in which most scales are ctenoid. Crenicichla monicae is recorded only from the lower Rio Uaupés and lower Rio Içana, tributaries of the upper Rio Negro, and is sympatric with the similar species C. johanna andC. lenticulata. It is distinguished from all other species of Crenicichla by the color pattern in females, with scattered dark spots on the upper half of the side and on the dorsal and caudal fins.Crenicichla monicae is a member of the C. lugubris species group, characterized by very small scales in a large number along the middle of the side (89–126 scales in E1 row), blunt snout, and particular ontogenetic transformation of color pattern.
 
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Looks very nice! Gonna look even better when they settle in and color up!
Thanks bro. Hopefully you're right. I just wish they all had the spots. I'll keep updating if there's any significant change in appearance or better yet if I get them to produce some fry for me. Also I'll update if any more pertinent info becomes available.
 
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