Male synspilum from Rapps

[Jason_S]

These are the first pics I've gotten that capture his true color. The red head is showing much more prominently. I had him for a while in a 75 gallon but his head was mostly grayish. The lighting in that tank just didn't suite him. He looks much better now in the 125. I moved the blackbelt I have to the 75 and now he's boss of that tank and is showing some beautiful colors now.

 

[cichlid8336]

Are you sure it's a male?

 

[Jason_S]

Are you sure it's a male?

When I placed the order, I specifically asked for a male if possible. Jeff said he vented this male synspilum and a male carpintis 'escondido' for me. So according to Jeff Rapps, whom I trust completely, they are both males. Sure there is always the chance that a mistake could have been made but as many fish as he vents and ships I put my trust in that.

Why do you ask?

 

[lil_pendejo]

I was thinking the same thing about it being a male. I'm no expert by far but evey male I ever had had a nice hump going by 4 inches. That and the color on most of my males was better, that and they were also WC so that just be the cause.

 

[Jason_S]

well to reference the hump, he is by far the dominant fish in the tank so there's not going to be much of a hump when that's the case. Also, to be honest I've never seen a synspilum under 8-10" displaying much of a hump. From all the pics I've seen of them, they are more like green terrors in that regard in that if they're going to grow a hump then it's usually later in life. But again, being the dominant fish in the tank is key to that.

I'm watching him now and he is actually starting to show a little more dominance towards the male sagittae and male carpintis but he's still no where near a match for the larger male xiloaensis.

 

[Jason_S]

Oh I never stated his size...he's about 6" tops.

 

[buddha1200]

looks female to me also,i have kept and bred synspilum for the last few years(but at 6 inches could be 50/50)

 

[Jason_S]

hmm...well I'm still in the middle of doing a water change and the water level is getting pretty low in that tank. I'll see if I can snatch him out and get a vent pic and post it.

 

[lil_pendejo]

Either way, male or female, its beautiful and a great buy. I wish I still had mine.

 

[DCOWBOYS]

Beautiful fish!!!