RED DEVIL Juvs.... Labiatus or Citrinellus???
- Thread starter Cyberman
- Start date
- Status
The following is an excerpt from a paper written by the pioneer of the entire Midas complex ........
The Midas Cichlid In Nicaragua
George W. Barlow
University of California - Berkeley 1976
It took someone with several years of hands on collecting of these fish to determine that citrinellum & labiatum were two distinct species. That alone should speak volumes as to why one can't simply eye ball an amphilophus, and state with any certainty exactly what its genetic make up is - especially with specimens purchased at the LFS.
Certainly one can state that generally labiatum are longer, more laterally compressed, and have more prominent lips, than citrinellum, but with the most recent research available we also now know that those features alone cannot always be used to determine the difference between the species.
To the OP, my advice would be to just enjoy your fish and not get overly concerned as to what its exact genetic make up is, as short of a proper DNA analysis you're never going to know. IMHO, your juvie appears to be more on the citrinellus side, than labiatus, but it's your fish & you can call it whatever you like.
The Midas Cichlid In Nicaragua
George W. Barlow
University of California - Berkeley 1976
It took someone with several years of hands on collecting of these fish to determine that citrinellum & labiatum were two distinct species. That alone should speak volumes as to why one can't simply eye ball an amphilophus, and state with any certainty exactly what its genetic make up is - especially with specimens purchased at the LFS.
Certainly one can state that generally labiatum are longer, more laterally compressed, and have more prominent lips, than citrinellum, but with the most recent research available we also now know that those features alone cannot always be used to determine the difference between the species.
To the OP, my advice would be to just enjoy your fish and not get overly concerned as to what its exact genetic make up is, as short of a proper DNA analysis you're never going to know. IMHO, your juvie appears to be more on the citrinellus side, than labiatus, but it's your fish & you can call it whatever you like.
Well thanks for all the great info and advise guys.... RD... I respect your knowledge, even though you might not respect mine but why should I one minute be critised when I use my own visual understanding of the ideal then you can judge my fish using the same principle? The visual.... Don't get me wrong I'm not upset... just curious about peoples attitudes towards this species. Not pointing fingers but it sometimes it seems like theres a lot of prides involved here lol
It has nothing to do with pride amigo.
As previously stated, with no known provenance all that anyone can really do is categorize amphilophus such as yours as midevils. That doesn't mean that I personally look down on midevils, or those that keep them. I happen to own a couple myself, both stunning fish in their own right, but without some kind of provenance back to the wild I can only assume that they are of mixed genetics. Both are males, both have their own 6ft tank to themselves, and seeing as I have no interest in breeding the fact that they may be of mixed genetics doesn't bother me in the least.
Almost every week someone would come on to this forum asking if they have a midas, or a red devil, which is why the stickies on this subject are where they are. Yet apparently we still have those who continue to ask this same age old question, when the reality is no one can simply look at a fish and determine with 100% accuracy what that fishes genetics are. It might look a bit more like this, or that, but beyond that it becomes a case of by guess or by golly.
The difference between you & I Cyberman, is that I am under no kind of illusion as to what my fish may, or may not be.
As previously stated, with no known provenance all that anyone can really do is categorize amphilophus such as yours as midevils. That doesn't mean that I personally look down on midevils, or those that keep them. I happen to own a couple myself, both stunning fish in their own right, but without some kind of provenance back to the wild I can only assume that they are of mixed genetics. Both are males, both have their own 6ft tank to themselves, and seeing as I have no interest in breeding the fact that they may be of mixed genetics doesn't bother me in the least.
Almost every week someone would come on to this forum asking if they have a midas, or a red devil, which is why the stickies on this subject are where they are. Yet apparently we still have those who continue to ask this same age old question, when the reality is no one can simply look at a fish and determine with 100% accuracy what that fishes genetics are. It might look a bit more like this, or that, but beyond that it becomes a case of by guess or by golly.
The difference between you & I Cyberman, is that I am under no kind of illusion as to what my fish may, or may not be.
Neil this question is going to be brought up forever, it's like the dovii in the 55 gallon tank. Some people have their mind made up and just want someone to tell them what they want to hear.
To that end I would tell the OP your fish is absolutly 100% Amphilophus _______________ fill in the species of your choice and put this puppy to bed.
To that end I would tell the OP your fish is absolutly 100% Amphilophus _______________ fill in the species of your choice and put this puppy to bed.
I think we should go with amph. labrinellum. sounds much better than midevil lol. love these threads. always get a chance to learn
Sent from my LS670 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Sent from my LS670 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
- Status
