Identifying little cichlid

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Al KW Tan

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2019
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Hi guys. I just got a baby cichlid of 1.5" and need some advice on what species it is. It would help me to decide if I should get a couple more. TQ!IMG_20210711_205755.jpg
 
At that size most new world cichlids look very much alike, and there are over 300 species of NW cichlids, so you'll need a few months growth before individual characteristics start to show.
Some examples below
1626015388183.png
above young Vieja breidhori, below Amphlpphus flaveolus (both Central Americans)
1626015461448.png
Below Australoheros "red Ceibal" a South American
1626015597994.png
and although they are all the same species in the shot above, some appear very different from each other.
Color of substrate, mood, feeding or not, intensity of light, plant life, etc, etc all have an influence on how they present.
Young (but a little older) Vieja melanura and Cincelichthys pearsei below (Central Americans)
1626016105382.png
 
OK, Thanks. I presume it's a fish that doesn't do well in a community or with others of the same species when it grows up, right?
 
Last edited:
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I agree it is too small to tell. If I had to guess at the moment it would be a vieja species, but again that is just a guess.
Whether it will be OK in a community or with conspecifics, nobody will be able to tell you without knowing the species.
 
At that size most new world cichlids look very much alike, and there are over 300 species of NW cichlids, so you'll need a few months growth before individual characteristics start to show.
Some examples below
View attachment 1466046
above young Vieja breidhori, below Amphlpphus flaveolus (both Central Americans)
View attachment 1466047
Below Australoheros "red Ceibal" a South American
View attachment 1466048
and although they are all the same species in the shot above, some appear very different from each other.
Color of substrate, mood, feeding or not, intensity of light, plant life, etc, etc all have an influence on how they present.
Young (but a little older) Vieja melanura and Cincelichthys pearsei below (Central Americans)
View attachment 1466049
Very nice pics of juv NW cichlids. Shall make some comparison in about a month.
 
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