I got another quetzel cichlid

[duanes]

In recent DNA studies, synspillum has been found to be the same as melanurum, basically just a color/location variant of melanurum.
The term melanurum goes back to 1862
the name synspillum only as far back as 1935, so the melanurum species name takes presidence.
If you go into a LFS and buy a red head cichlid, chances are that you could be getting any one of 3 or more species.
Beside melanurum, there are bifasciatum, hartwegii, or fenestratus, and most LFSs can't tell the difference. And to add to the confusion, there are any number of people and their sisters creating hybrids from the above and many others, so your chance of getting the species you want is slim to none.
So the only way to get the true version of what you actually want, is to go to one of the respected vendors who specialize in non-corrupted species.
Below is VIeja bifasciatum, Rio Chacamax.

 

[Jonnyakawombell]

In recent DNA studies, synspillum has been found to be the same as melanurum, basically just a color/location variant of melanurum.
The term melanurum goes back to 1862
the name synspillum only as far back as 1935, so the melanurum species name takes presidence.
If you go into a LFS and buy a red head cichlid, chances are that you could be getting any one of 3 or more species.
Beside melanurum, there are bifasciatum, hartwegii, or fenestratus, and most LFSs can't tell the difference. And to add to the confusion, there are any number of people and their sisters creating hybrids from the above and many others, so your chance of getting the species you want is slim to none.
So the only way to get the true version of what you actually want, is to go to one of the respected vendors who specialize in non-corrupted species.
Below is VIeja bifasciatum, Rio Chacamax.

So really if I was to get say 5/6 I wouldn't really know I'm buying in truth. Think I'll give it a miss then, was just going to have a shot at breeding them as there already around 5-6", thanks for the advice buddy, nothing worse then buying fish as one thing just for them to turn out somthing totally different or even worse IMO a hybrid.

 

[duanes]

If your LFS got them from someone like Rapps, or another trustworthy importer and could vouch for it with papers, it would be worth a shot at breeding. But if they came from someone down the street, who turned them in without provinance, there is no way you could honestly say they were true species, or not. I realize this is a sad state of affairs, but it is today's reality.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

It is a shame that lfs don't pay more attention to what they are selling with regard to pure breeds.
I have given literally hundreds of young cichlids to fish stores over the years.A lot of these fish were bred from parents with catch location.
When you explain to them what they are,most look at you wondering what the hell your on about.
Recently I moved on some Thorichthys helleri Rio catazaja fry I had grown out.I gave them to the store, explained exactly what they were only to see them a week later labeled as yellow firemouths.
I guess the majority of fish keepers don't really care if it's pure or where it's from.And the majority of local fish stores don't care as long as they can sell them.

 

[Jonnyakawombell]

If your LFS got them from someone like Rapps, or another trustworthy importer and could vouch for it with papers, it would be worth a shot at breeding. But if they came from someone down the street, who turned them in without provinance, there is no way you could honestly say they were true species, or not. I realize this is a sad state of affairs, but it is today's reality.

I rang the LFS store today and they didn't even buy them them in, someone traded them in for something else, they have no clue what they are lol apart for the fact the guy said there red heads, they said I could have all 6 for 20 pounds as there taking up a ton of space in the shop as there all around 6", but what's the point if I don't really know what they are, going to give them a miss

 

[Jonnyakawombell]

It is a shame that lfs don't pay more attention to what they are selling with regard to pure breeds.
I have given literally hundreds of young cichlids to fish stores over the years.A lot of these fish were bred from parents with catch location.
When you explain to them what they are,most look at you wondering what the hell your on about.
Recently I moved on some Thorichthys helleri Rio catazaja fry I had grown out.I gave them to the store, explained exactly what they were only to see them a week later labeled as yellow firemouths.
I guess the majority of fish keepers don't really care if it's pure or where it's from.And the majority of local fish stores don't care as long as they can sell them.

Yeah couldn't agree with you more buddy, I'd actually happily pay more for a fish if I new it's exact location a type, at least that way you know what you have

 

[duanes]

If they look good enough, you could ask the store to put you in touch with the person who brought them in, and interrogate that person.

 

[Frank Castle]

If they look good enough, you could ask the store to put you in touch with the person who brought them in, and interrogate that person.

+2

 

[LogiBear]

It is a shame that lfs don't pay more attention to what they are selling with regard to pure breeds.
I have given literally hundreds of young cichlids to fish stores over the years.A lot of these fish were bred from parents with catch location.
When you explain to them what they are,most look at you wondering what the hell your on about.
Recently I moved on some Thorichthys helleri Rio catazaja fry I had grown out.I gave them to the store, explained exactly what they were only to see them a week later labeled as yellow firemouths.
I guess the majority of fish keepers don't really care if it's pure or where it's from.And the majority of local fish stores don't care as long as they can sell them.

I feel like if you want pure fish you shouldne be at the LFS though. I mean, first off they have to make a living from this so of course they want to sell above anything else. And they also cant be sure that youre telling the truth. I mean, you could say they are this but they are really that, and all you want is a dew more dollars. Plus, if an experienced fishkeeper comes in and sees a fish labeled specificaly (binomial, catch location, wild caught or not, etc.) and they get it wrong, that sends an even worse message then just using broader, more common names.

If you want pure fish then i think that you have to go to someone who is also into pure fish, often online. Yes, they still have to make a living but they arent dealing with a small group of people in a local area as well as people who want to sell/trade livestock. They are able to keep just a few known pure fish and sell to a larger area of people.

And honestly (i dont want a debate here, we know both sides of it well enough from countless arguments previous) i think that it shouldnt matter what the fish is to everyone. We are all here to enjoy this hobby and some of us like nice colors and attitudes and other like to know that they are helping preserve a species that is unique in its own right. All up to the individual.

Thats my thoughts... It could all be improved but it is still possible to get what you need as the system is.

 

[dempseyreed]

I'm not sure, but I have 2 also I'd like to sex one day....about 3" and 5". Nice collection fo fish u got there, Bud. Looks like a lot of the same species I keep. I like.

Thanks Frank. My SO hates the eartheater. I love it! I want some other vieja variety fish but we are going have our hands full with all those midas.