Mystery Hap?

[Stephen St.Clair]

In the past year I've bought numerous quality Haps from my favorite LFS, which included, Fuscos, Livingstoni, Venustus, Electric Blue Haps, Eye Biter & Taiwan Reef. Those were easily identifiable picks from the stores mixed unsexed Hap display tanks. I took a chance buying two tiny juvenile Haps, which were not so easy to ID.
one of those turned out to be a Sulphur Head (Mara Rock) the other, I'm not quite sure. He was the typical 1" silver gray juvenile hap w/ both vertical stripes & a horizonal bar. He also had three spots along his sides. The little guy has grown to about 3" and is starting to color up, steel blue face, a little red on the body, yellow tint beginning to show on the fins. The spots are starting to fade. He is not overly aggressive, but is quite fearless and easily holds his position in the community. I don't think he's a hybrid. I've done exhaustive research with no conclusive results. Was hoping one of you guys might recognize his variety.

 

[james99]

Looks like a hybrid. Body shape and vertical bars are typical peacock characteristics, color doesn't look like anything concrete.

 

[Stephen St.Clair]

I was hoping to avoid any hybrids, but I've done a lot of online searching and can't find a match. You very well might be right. He's turned out to be a really good pick up. Thanks for the reply.

 

[joe jaskot]

Three spots on the side are usually indicative of a copadichromis species.

 

[Stephen St.Clair]

Thanks, I'll do a little more follow up.

 

[Stephen St.Clair]

I think the mystery Hap is a Copadichromis Trewavasae (Ivory Head). Tampa Bay Cichlids has a pic of an adult Ivory Head with an identical face & color along with a mixture of red & blue coloring w/ three faint spots on the sides of the body. I also located several juvenile pics online that look extremely similar to what my Hap looked as a very young juvenile. Mine is still a sub adult so it well take a few more months for a more positive ID. Thanks guys.

 

[james99]

I'm not sure what the Tampa Bay cichlids picture is, looks like a juiced up mutt. Maybe it's just a bad pick on their part. The fish mentioned should be dark blue/black with a white blaze

 

[Stephen St.Clair]

Lol, I can't stop laughing, "Juiced up mutt". You're probably right. Mine is developing a white blaze. He should be totally colored up in a few months, which might enable a more conclusive ID. On the brightside, I've bought approx. 25 African Cichlids in the past year, all juveniles. Only this one guy has an identity issue. Even if he turns out to be a hybrid, I'll keep him. He's in a 120 long, all male, tank. Here's a better pic of him.

 

[james99]

He has nice potential no matter what he ends up being, I like the red. Even if you never find out what he is and you like him, that's all that matters.

 

[The Morning]

Ok 1 year update? Still have the fish? What does it look like now?