Vieja i.d.
- Thread starter Theos.dad
- Start date
At 2" its very difficult, and even 8" it can be difficult, because......
melanura and synspillum are actually the same species, just different location variants.
DNA tests have assured that they are the same, so the name melanura , first described and used in 1862 takes presidence.
The name symspilla was used to describe the same cichlid by a different scientist (thinking it was a different fish) in 1935 so the name is now considered invallid.
Here is an @ 3"-4" melanura
The species/variant called melanura is usually more yellow.
The variant of melanura often called synspilla is usually more blue, or red.
There are also some variants more speckled with iridescent spots found in a different river system.
V bifasciata is actually a separate species
but even they are hard to tell from melanura until they hit about 6"
The distinguishing feature is that spot (seen above the lateral line) and that appears in the mid to posterior of the body.
melanura and synspillum are actually the same species, just different location variants.
DNA tests have assured that they are the same, so the name melanura , first described and used in 1862 takes presidence.
The name symspilla was used to describe the same cichlid by a different scientist (thinking it was a different fish) in 1935 so the name is now considered invallid.
Here is an @ 3"-4" melanura
The species/variant called melanura is usually more yellow.
The variant of melanura often called synspilla is usually more blue, or red.
There are also some variants more speckled with iridescent spots found in a different river system.
V bifasciata is actually a separate species
but even they are hard to tell from melanura until they hit about 6"
The distinguishing feature is that spot (seen above the lateral line) and that appears in the mid to posterior of the body.
So they actually go by the name melanura instead of synspilum for the species? I notice imperial tropicals still uses the name synspilum. Lots of confusion around this fish . I knew they were categorized by catch location but didn't understand what fish would actually be coming. I'm fairly certain the fish would have come from sun pets wholesaler if that helps. When I get home I'll get a pic and upload it. I've done a good bit of research over the last 2 months and am still confused by these guys. A friend actually bought the fish and then had to change his living situation. Looking forward to seeing what it becomes
Synspillum is still such a common trade name it is usually kept for marketing, essentially the same as using a catch location to describe a fish.
Many fish vendors have either not caught up with the science, or just want to use the old name because they know many hobbyists have also, not caught up.
The DNA evidence is already a couple years old.
As mentioned above, both are V. Melanura as proven by DNA analysis. The fish previous know as Synspilum comes from Belize and is simply a locality variation
