Vieja id.

[Cichladdict]

Hello, picked up a couple of these vieja cichlids. Ive had synspilum before and i dont think these are, ive done some research and come up with fenestratus but not 100% certain.
I was hoping somebody on here could help.

Thanks.

 

[Cichladdict]

This is the same fish by the way, the other one is smaller.
Thanks

 

[xraycer]

Doesn't look like synspilum nor fenestratus.

Maybe duanes will have an idea

 

[Adhlc]

Tough call. The top picture makes me think Guttulatus, but then the bottom picture looks like a completely different fish so I can't say for certain.

 

[Cichladdict]

The bottom picture is when the fish was 1st added to the aquarium also, i just add
ed as the change in colour is quite dramatic over 6 days.
Thanks again

 

[dan518]

Think I would go with guttulatus as well,

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Looks like veija species coatzacoalas to me.
Unless you bought from a reputable dealer that provided catch location and guaranteed I'd,it's going to be a guessing game.
Guttulatus, zanotus and sp coatzacoalcos are extremely hard to identify and tell apart.They may not even be seperate species but regional variants or natural hybrids.
Good luck with identifying but you will never really know.

 

[duanes]

I agree with stanzzzz7.
and because there is so much hybridization going on these days , it may be impossible to find out.
But some Vieja do not show the markings that prove or at least reassure ID until quite large.
Below is a young bifasciatum before it matured

a few months later it matured into this, with the typical blotch above the lateral line that suggests the bi, in the bifasciatum part of its name

 

[Cichladdict]

Thanks, brilliant, i know ill never find out for sure, but im happy with that, im no expert on the vieja species so i can now look at these suggestions and wait til they mature.

Thanks

 

[Gourami Swami]

I would agree with zonatum/coatzacoalos. The red in the tail paired with the light blue coloration is what makes me think that. My guttalatum had a darker body color, even from a pretty small size. Fish in my avatar is my guttalatum, he was probably around 6-7" at the time.