Juvenile Black Belt (Maculicauda) coloration

[FESHMAN]

So I was at my local shop yesterday and I saw a tank of what looks like really washed out Viejas. I thought they were some sort of mutts so I asked the guy to show me the list and it said paraneetroplus maculicauda. They were super drab I'd almost say pure white, there were a few that had a few black spots here and there but mostly white. I'm confused are they real Maculicauda and that's how they look when they're young? Because I've been looking for some and I don't want to get any and they turn out to be mutts. The price was tempting and they were maybe at 3". I didn't take any photos my battery was dead at the time

 

[Rocksor]

Yes that's how they look like when young, and stressed out.

 

[duanes]

Yes that's how they look like when young, and stressed out.

Agree with Rocksor, they really don't show colors until older, comfortable, and larger, but if you could post a photo, it might be obvious whether pure Vieja maculicauda or not.
Although these days, its often hard to tell, so many people and their cousins are hybridizing cichlids.