Tommy Depiro's show stopper that should have taken BIS at the Florida Aquarium Fish Expo in Fort Meyers but didn't because of concerns of it possibly being a hybrid. Folks are so accustomed with average they can't comprehend exceptional. Pity.
But hey, Tommy was a good sport about it and paid homage to the BIS winner, who took top prize with an Istlanum and just happened 2B, drum roll pleeeeeez.........! Mr Tom Depiro.

Some nice fish in this thread!
So yeah man this is one stunning fish that is for sure but I can see how and why there were concerns about the fish. I am not saying I agree or that it is a hybrid (it's way to hard of a call for me to make) but the pearling is very uniform and that's not a trait which these variants normally don't have, so I can see why people hard the concerns. I will say though it is an outstanding piece and if it is pure it's for sure the best all around I have seen.
This other one now is a different story. This one is very closely resembling the first fish but this one (and again I could be wrong) however I am pretty confident this one is not pure and is a mix/ hybrid. The body structure is not right the face is very rounded off even for a female of this species and the pearl is too again uniform. This female I personally say is very good bet it's a mix. However it is also an exceptional fish and wonderful looking!
+1
Man though what if you two got these two to breed how nice of a batch would that make! It would be something real special.... -1/2
Worthless! Your h*gh bro hahah
I would throw down cash on the male any day! Hybrid or pure does not matter the fish is a stunner. A show fish is a show fish if it makes people stop in their tracks while checking out your fish that is all that really matters.
Worthless! Your h*gh bro hahah
I would throw down cash on the male any day! Hybrid or pure does not matter the fish is a stunner. A show fish is a show fish if it makes people stop in their tracks while checking out your fish that is all that really matters.

I think its Vontehillo not sure got him from cichlids of the Americas. pic doesn't do him justice
Is that an Escondido?
again my same fishHe gets white taro head when he's in attack mode; breeding or not.