I think the battle still rages on, on this topic... from the angry threads on cichlidforum and chatting with Willem heijn on fbook. It would seem they are separate species based on limited collection points. What was purchased as cf ornatus is now listed as gephyrum... so atleast I know what’s in my tank
Mesoheros Gephyrum?
- Thread starter Addicted to Cichlids
- Start date
The Cichlidroom companion (cichlidae.com) lists them as two separate species.
I consider that site to be on the cutting edge of whatever happens with cichlids from around the world.
If you belong to the American Cichlid Association, it is included as part of your membership fee.
I consider that site to be on the cutting edge of whatever happens with cichlids from around the world.
If you belong to the American Cichlid Association, it is included as part of your membership fee.
Greetings from Finland 
I just bought 2 fish that were sold to me as mesoheros atromaculatus.
Then I tried to find more info about them and found pictures that do not match at all.
I did found video of mesoheros gephyrum and I was sure my fish are those, but then I found this thread and another video of mesoheros ornatus. Now I'm so confused.
I did took video on my fish, it's not very good video, but can you tell me what fish do I have?
They are around 7-8 cm or 3 inch.
There are also 5 vieja argantea and 3 carpintis.
Thank you.
I just bought 2 fish that were sold to me as mesoheros atromaculatus.
Then I tried to find more info about them and found pictures that do not match at all.
I did found video of mesoheros gephyrum and I was sure my fish are those, but then I found this thread and another video of mesoheros ornatus. Now I'm so confused.
I did took video on my fish, it's not very good video, but can you tell me what fish do I have?
They are around 7-8 cm or 3 inch.
There are also 5 vieja argantea and 3 carpintis.
Thank you.
I believe I like the Ornatum over the Gephrum, I here that they are the same cichlid and also hear that they are different, if so I believe it is the Ornatum that I like best based on color...
My understanding is that the fish that were brought into the hobby several years ago were originally sold as ornatum, but later identified as gephyrum. I wasn't aware that there are actually ornatum in the hobby.
Seem's like I'm in the right track with you guys.
So do those blue spots eventually grow?
I mean if fish is indentified as ornatus when it is young does it grow those blue spots when older and loose yellowish backcolour?
Maybe it's easier to me to explain with videos.
Young ornatus:
and gephyrum:
So do those blue spots eventually grow?
I mean if fish is indentified as ornatus when it is young does it grow those blue spots when older and loose yellowish backcolour?
Maybe it's easier to me to explain with videos.
Young ornatus:
and gephyrum:
There is a lot of confusion about ornatum and gephyrum. Both fish shown in the above videos are what are considered M. gephyrum. Like any cichlid, they vary in color. Some are more yellow, some are more blue. It depends a lot also on your lighting.
What I have found in 24h if they are oranatum or gephyrum or cichlasoma atromaculatus.
They are all rare, but oranatum and gephyrum are super rare.
They are mixed when they are young when they look very similar.
Maybe at some point ornatum will change colour and become gephyrum.
I dont know, but I have 2 7cm of them and I will have 3 more.
If I get any smarter or the matter I will let you know.
They are all rare, but oranatum and gephyrum are super rare.
They are mixed when they are young when they look very similar.
Maybe at some point ornatum will change colour and become gephyrum.
I dont know, but I have 2 7cm of them and I will have 3 more.
If I get any smarter or the matter I will let you know.
