Vieja Synspilum

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Jhncf

Jhncf

Piranha
MFK Member
Jan 23, 2014
609
198
76
Scotland
When do Vieja Synspilum colour up properly? Mine is 5-6" and has some colour but nothing like the ones I see in pictures.. Also, could someone sex my Syn?

 
I could be wrong, but that doesn't look like a P. synspilum (= V. synspilum) to me. The dark lateral bar shouldn't push that far forward, the ventral surfaces usually show some black (at least on occasion), and the fins typically don't show the heavy speckled pattern. I'm not sure what you have, but the vertical bars are not characteristic of synspilum. You do see them in P. fenestratus, although I'm not sure that is what you have either. Could be a mix. Do you have additional photos?

Here is a typical P. synspilum:

2014 03_01 copy.jpg

2014 03_01 copy.jpg
 
Ah well that sucks.. Was sold to me as a Vieja Synspilum. I'll try and get a couple more pics when I get home from work later, hopefully work out what he/she is if not a Synspilum.
 
It does look more like this than a Synspilum, just not quite as bright. Looks you could be right about it being a Fenestratus.. Hopefully someone will come along and confirm.

 
V. fenestratus are late bloomers. From what I've read, they need to hit 6-7+ inches before they really color up. I have some smaller ones (3-4") that are pretty drab, but you can see colors starting to show. If any come close to the pic you just posted, the wait will have been worth it.
 
I don't know if OPs fish is a fenestratus. Body shape doesn't look anything like mine, I have a 6 inch Fen. First thing popped in my mind when I saw OPs photo was Bifasciatus, but it doesn't have the right lateral line/lines to be Bifa.

Now--if you want to drool over a Fenestratus--check this out.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqd36AWwZSg
 
ragin_cajun said:
I don't know if OPs fish is a fenestratus. Body shape doesn't look anything like mine, I have a 6 inch Fen. First thing popped in my mind when I saw OPs photo was Bifasciatus, but it doesn't have the right lateral line/lines to be Bifa.
Click to expand...

I agree that the body does seem pretty deep (portly) for a fenestratus, and more typical of a bifasciatus. The upper dark patch on bifas can come and go, which is why I thought more pics would help. The shape, along with the hint of vertical bars make me suspect it may be a mix. I don't think bifas have vertical bars.
 
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