New Pix: Xingu Oscar

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
That's a nice Oscar, but it's not a crassipinnis. In fact, it's too pretty to be a crassipinnis :D . Look at Jeff Rapp's photo of a big male http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/crassip2.jpg

The Xingu is in Northern Brazil (more or less), the only time I have seen crassipinnis were in Argentina shipments maybe Bolivia. It was a long time ago and I am not getting any younger ;)
I'm not saying it couldn't possibly be a crassipinnis, it's just highly unlikely.

FWIW, I think PP was on the right track.

http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/orbic3.jpg
 
While I'm no expert myself on Oscars, I must admit that BOTH of Rapps ' fish look like orbicularis. Crassipinnis simply do NOT have colors.
They are from the Pantanal, which covers most of Brazil. Not sure about the location of the Xingu, or if it's connected with the Pantanal, but the dull, washed out blues/grays is characteristic of a crassipinnis, NOT the reds or oranges, as shown in the 2 Rapps photos. Again, just going by what I've had.
 
Many "ultra rare" fish are what some would consider butt ugly. It's all in the eye of the beholder. I am sure that Li loves his, and I loved mine. Subtleness is not easily achieved, and I truly do enjoy the subdued coloration (considered butt ugly?) of the crassipinnis.

I suppose those people would consider lungfish butt ugly too :) Many people here at school fall under one of two categories:

1: Wow, COOL! Awesome! Can I pet it? (yes they can lol)

2. That thing is ugly!
 
Can't beat 'em!
 
Astronotus crassipinnis

Range:

Astronotus crassipinnis is reported to come from Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru: in The upper Paraguay and the Bolivian Amazon including the Guaporé, Mamoré and Madre de Dios.As well as parts of Brazil Although several people disagree about A.crassipinnis actually being in brazil.

Differences :

Some differences in the Astronotus crassipinnis I've seen that distinguish them from Astronotus ocellatus. Astronotus crassipinnis seems to be a heavier built,thicker bodied fish.Astronotus Crassipinnis also has a base color of black instead of the dark green of A.ocellatus. The stripeing/barring of A.crassipinnis also seems to be better defined and almost always white.

source: cjexotics
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com