Difference between motaguenese and rtm

[Deadeye]

Hi, online I was just browsing cichlids and on the same website I came across motaguenese cichlid and red tiger motaguenese for twice the price (at the same size). I was under the impression they were the same species, or is the rtm specifically bred for the color and that’s where the name comes from?

 

[tlindsey]

Hi, online I was just browsing cichlids and on the same website I came across motaguenese cichlid and red tiger motaguenese for twice the price (at the same size). I was under the impression they were the same species, or is the rtm specifically bred for the color and that’s where the name comes from?

I thought the same as well. Is there a size or color difference between the two listed?

 

[Backfromthedead]

One and the same i believe. Both most likely parachromis motaguensis. Perhaps one is wild caught and other captive bred?

 

[stiker]

They are the same species. RTM (Red Tiger Motaguense) is the trade/ common name given to Parachromis Motaguense

 

[Deadeye]

On the picture the mota is a dull brown, the rtm is red and yellow. Maybe separating their better colored ones from the worse ones?

 

[Backfromthedead]

On the picture the mota is a dull brown, the rtm is red and yellow. Maybe separating their better colored ones from the worse ones?

Could just be stressed vs breeding coloration. Given its mood the same rtm could show both those colors. Generally a seller will try to show a more colorful example though. Could you tell us which vendors are selling which fish? Links maybe? That would be helpful.

 

[Deadeye]

It was on bluegrass aquatics

https://bluegrassaquatics.com/motaguense-cichlid-regular.html

https://bluegrassaquatics.com/red-tiger-motaguense-cichlid-regular.html

 

[Backfromthedead]

It was on bluegrass aquatics

https://bluegrassaquatics.com/motaguense-cichlid-regular.html

https://bluegrassaquatics.com/red-tiger-motaguense-cichlid-regular.html

Ah I see. I personally do not care for this particular vendor as I had a bad experience ordering with them a few years ago.

 

[Backfromthedead]

But just comparing the two pictures, they could very well be the same fish, the more colorful one being after the fish has maybe settled in to its tank and feeding well. And the washed out picture being stressed, after a long transit or being bullied by other fish, maybe even sick.

 

[Deadeye]

So far they have been pretty good for me, I lost a rotkiel in transit because the mail sucks by me. Anything else I lost from them has been from my own stupid mistakes. There’s better vendors but bluegrass is dirt cheap.