First Cichla! ID Help Please

[vass69]

Hi guys, I purchased my first Cichla today, he/she is about 4-5 inches, starting to show some pretty nice yellowish color. I just would like to know what species of cichla it is so I can plan to look for similar ones in the future. Thanks!!

Sorry for the kind of crappy pics,

 

[haynchinook334]

That's a nice fat little mono you have. Good looking guy to.

 

[vass69]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you come to determine it was a Mono? Just asking so when I go to find another one I know what to look for.

Thanks!

 

[haynchinook334]

Your is starting to get the black "Blotches" between the bars. Not a common trait in Ocell's (well not the ones I raised). I take it yours is about 5-7''?

This was my old mono about the same size as yours.

 

[vass69]

Yeah I would say around 4-5 inches, its the first I've seen in my area that was larger than 3 inches. It is starting to get some beautiful yellow in its body and the lower half of the tail is turning red.

Eventually is there a way to determine sex w/o venting?

 

[haynchinook334]

Yeah I would say around 4-5 inches, its the first I've seen in my area that was larger than 3 inches. It is starting to get some beautiful yellow in its body and the lower half of the tail is turning red.

Eventually is there a way to determine sex w/o venting?

Yes and no....
Males will get that "knot" on there head when they mature.
If the anal fin is pointed (male) if its rounded (female). But, I don't know how accurate that is. But, venting males (O>) and females (Oo).

 

[vass69]

Awesome, I appreciate the help! Any pointers or tips to keeping them fat and happy (besides the obvious water changes etc.)

 

[haynchinook334]

Rain coat.

Other then that, looks like you're doing a really good job already. Doesn't look stressed one bit, Looks really health, looks like he eats a lot.

 

[vass69]

I've been looking around the forums. It looks like there are couple of different Mono's. Does it varies what it looks like depending on where its original location was?

 

[haynchinook334]

I've been looking around the forums. It looks like there are couple of different Mono's. Does it varies what it looks like depending on where its original location was?

Yes, Mono's from lake Enviria look completely different from Mono's from Tarapoto. Ocell's from Guyana look completely different from Ocell's in Florida. Different Locations produces fish of the family, but different variant's.

Here you go. I like looking at pictures.

http://www.raubwelse.de/