Is this a juvenile black belt cichlid?

[oscarmeyer321]

This was advertised as a Black Belt cichlid at my lfs about a month ago and I was initially happy because Black Belt Cichlids are rarely found on Long Island, New York.

I am now starting to have doubts and am leaning towards an Hartwegi or other Vieja species.

Can anyone take a shot at my fish?

This is 1 month old from purchase and about 3.5".

I am hoping this is a juvenile black belt...

Thanks!

 

[Legomypleco]

try and get a better pic. but from the pic you provided i would say i dont think its a pure blackbelt. or atleast it dosnt look like mine did at that size

 

[crazy clowntang]

well, to ME it looks like it is not. Might be a heterospilum, but really hard to tell with picture looking so cloudy.

 

[KNH]

Yes that is a black belt cichlid.

 

[FishingOut]

Yup. Looks like a stressed BB. These fish go through alot of color changes. Mine is only about 2in and hes light tan with green sheen and red tail. Definatly BB, hard to say if its pure or not with the pictures, but I would imagine it would be.

 

[LowCel]

It's shape looks just like mine did when it was that size, colors are different but that is probably from stress.

Here is mine at that size.

Here he is four years later.

 

[Modest_Man]

Yes it's a stressed black belt.

 

[crazy clowntang]

Nice black belt lowcel

 

[fishbee]

thats a BB alright

 

[surfpalmsncycads]

looks like bb. mine changed colors alot depending on stress, food, light.