Mayan cichlid progression

[SwampFins]

I only go this guy back in February and he is certainly starting to show some color and put on some size on him. Thought I'd share for those interested.

This is about 2 and a half months of growth!

 

[newworld]

That's anything but a Mayan...

 

[SwampFins]

That's anything but a Mayan...

How so? Care to elaborate at least?

 

[Ulu]

I wouldn't flush that one, whatever it is!

He's a beauty.

 

[Jmahn]

lovely colours whatever he is

 

[HybridFinatic]

How so? Care to elaborate at least?

Idk exactly what it is but +1 that is definitely no Mayan.

 

[Jexnell]

Very odd fish indeed. Front half looks like a Carpinitis. Then the back of it looks like a Amphilophus Lysoni.

 

[HybridFinatic]

Very odd fish indeed. Front half looks like a Carpinitis. Then the back of it looks like a Amphilophus Lysoni.

Yes right when I saw it I thought hybrid with for sure Herichthys in it but I didn’t want to be be mistaken. Definitely an interesting fish

 

[duanes]

definitely Not a pure uropthalmus
and people wonder why I'm so negative about random hybridization, not about the fish itself, but the lack consideration for true identity, is ridiculous, verging on fraud..

 

[Serpentine]

definitely Not a pure uropthalmus
and people wonder why I'm so negative about random hybridization, not about the fish itself, but the lack consideration for true identity, is ridiculous, verging on fraud..

The OP's fish is a gorgeous creature. I love it.

However I agree 100% with you. This is why people buy a fish thinking it's one thing when it really isn't and end up feeling ripped off. We have the same problem in the reptile trade, especially with species like the Hog Island boa constrictor. They are extinct in the wild and those in captivity have been so extensively interbred with other subspecies to create morphs that I actually ask to see a paper trail including ancestors' CITES certification and GPS coordinates at the point of collection before I buy one, since I am trying to preserve them. I estimate that roughly 95% of those for sale as Hog Island boas are something else or hybrids with varying degrees of Hog Island blood.

OP, your fish looks like a cross between a carpintis and uropthalmus to me but that's a guess. It's very colorful and looks like it will be a stunner as an adult.