Thorichthys possible hybrid or variant?

[Stratoquarius]

I picked up this thorichthys about 8 months ago, and it looked quite a bit like affinis. in fact I picked it up because it didn`t look entirely like a common variant of meeki that I always see available. so I grew it out.

Looks pretty much like a meeki except for a greenish yellow hue to the body and fins, and blue spangling. is this a type locality of Meeki or possibly a hybrid?
I keep him with an Aureum and the two are slowly growing similarities compared to when I first got them.

Either way hes really nice looking and I was tempted to try and find some more if its a variant. When I got it people online were guessing that it was possibly affinis or elliotti.

and heres a picture I`ll include of my aureum just because hes got some nice colors, unfortunately I didn`t scrape the algae off of the lower reaches (24" deep) which of course is where they tend to spend a lot of their time, so sorry about that.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Good luck with this one.T.meeki and T.affinis may well yet be described as one and the same species.T affinis was described first,so if this happens t, meeki will become T affinis.
The experts seem to struggle with this one.A lot will say t.affinis has no,or a very small Gill spot a more pronounced lateral line and a more yellow general colour. If this is true then I would say your fish is t,meeki.
T affinis is said to be endemic to Guatemala,but populations of t,meeki are also in Guatemala.
I believe the two fish are just geographical variants of the same species.As things currently stand I would guess your fish to be described as t meeki by most.

 

[smitty03281964]

I think you have a T. Meeki.

 

[dogofwar]

Hard to say. Most likely T. meeki or a hybrid of unknown provenance.

 

[Stratoquarius]

I'm not wishing for a hybrid, I'd just like to possibly pick up some more of the same variant if its possible. All the meeki I see are slate grey in color with a nice contrast between that and the orange.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Meeki will vary somewhat for lots of reasons.
Most lfs meeki are a bit washed out in colour as the lines are far from their wild stock roots.
T meeki has a very wide distribution in the wild and come from many different environments.
Meeki from very clear water with light coloured limestone rocks tend to be pale in colour.meeki from more swampy waters tend to be brighter.
Meeki that come from faster flowing riverine conditions tend to be longer bodied and more streamlined than those in still pools.
I would say your fish is almost certainly t.meeki,
But if you buy more meeki, chances are they will be a little different.

 

[Stratoquarius]

Yeah thats what I was worried about. Thats a shame I really like this variety.

 

[mrrobxc]

Keep your eyes peeled since you will find some nice batches from time to time. Meeki are gorgeous fish and I've found th3m to be easier to maintain then maculipinnis. The look great in large groups.

Nice aureum by th3 way.