Is this a Lyonsi Cichlid??

[Sherman30]

Hello All,
I have had this guy/girl for 15 years, and STILL haven’t been able to identify him. He’s still happy and healthy. I bought him when he was 1.5 “ at Petsmart, then he got huge. He’s now about 10-11”. Seems like this type of cichlid would be too exotic for a petsmart, but he’s too big for a Convict?
I absolutely love him. He’s very interactive and has a huge personality. He’s usually a light gray/cream color, but when irritated he goes dark gray. If you walk by his tank and dont say hi, he’ll flick his water to make sure you do. He loves his family.
Tried to get a good pic of his side, but he was so happy, he kept watching me head on.
Any clue would be so appreciated, I’ve been trying to figure this out for 10 years.
Thank you so much

 

[Gourami Swami]

Hello,
Definitely some kind of vieja/paratheraps. Not a lyonsi. My first guess would be vieja zonatum or Coatzacoalcos. Both are pretty rare fish, not something I would expect petsmart to have had, maybe somebody brought it in as a trade.

 

[Sherman30]

Hello,
Definitely some kind of vieja/paratheraps. Not a lyonsi. My first guess would be vieja zonatum or Coatzacoalcos. Both are pretty rare fish, not something I would expect petsmart to have had, maybe somebody brought it in as a trade.

YES!!! Success, finally getting somewhere. I just love this fish, I would almost call him affectionate. I pet him once and gave him a little hand hug, he wasn’t scared or aggressive with me. I never expected this when I bought him, certainly didn’t expect to have him this long, now I’m so attached.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help. I’m going to research this type of cichlid.
Thanks again

 

[Gourami Swami]

YES!!! Success, finally getting somewhere. I just love this fish, I would almost call him affectionate. I pet him once and gave him a little hand hug, he wasn’t scared or aggressive with me. I never expected this when I bought him, certainly didn’t expect to have him this long, now I’m so attached.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help. I’m going to research this type of cichlid.
Thanks again

No problem glad to help. I used to have a vieja guttalatus (fish in my profile pic) and he was quite possibly my favorite fish I have owned. Personality was second to none, perfect wet pet.