Where to order a nice chocolate cichlid?

[Omrit]

I am looking at two potential chocolate cichlids right now.

Wetspot has tank raised for 10$

Tangled up in Cichlids has the "Rio Negro WC" version for 40$. They also have the yellow nape chocolates for 45$, never seen these before though.


Is the "Rio Negro" version worth it or is this a species where they will be similar regardless of source? Would rather go with the captive bred option if it is all the same, but of course it is worth getting the WC ones if they really are a cut above.

 

[Hybridfish7]

I am looking at two potential chocolate cichlids right now.

Wetspot has tank raised for 10$

Tangled up in Cichlids has the "Rio Negro WC" version for 40$. They also have the yellow nape chocolates for 45$, never seen these before though.


Is the "Rio Negro" version worth it or is this a species where they will be similar regardless of source? Would rather go with the captive bred option if it is all the same, but of course it is worth getting the WC ones if they really are a cut above.

Wc ones tend to be a bit more colorful and well formed than domestic ones. You get what you pay for with tuic

 

[newworld]

Either Cory or temp, they r both chocolates…

 

[Cichlidfever]

Either Cory or temp, they r both chocolates…

What is the difference between Cory and Temp Chocolates

 

[duanes]

Temp is Hypselecara temporalis, found through the main Amazon basin, often a lot of red coloration.
Cory is Hypselecara coryphaenoides, found in the Rio Negro river system, often in tannin stained and black water with a narrow pH range of 3.5 to 5.5. it easily hits 12".

 

[Omrit]

Wc ones tend to be a bit more colorful and well formed than domestic ones. You get what you pay for with tuic

I trust tuic, but for some species WC and captive bred are nearly the same. Look like this is not one of those species though so going to go for the WC ones.


Thanks for all the replies.

 

[duanes]

Its not only about looks or coloration.
If you have the right water parameters that match what a wild caught cichlid might experience in its natural habitat, it could be a great option.
The Rio Negro parameters are generally mineral poor, low conductivity (8mS) acidic pH as low, or lower than pH 4, and very tannin stained.
It is the largest black water river in the world.

But
If your water parameters are not close to what that wild cichlid would experiences in nature, a tank bred version may be more practical for your tank.

What is your pH?
what is the hardness of your tap water?
Do you have the ability to lower mineral content and pH with RO/DI?
Do you believe (or want) to constantly add tannins to stain and give a wild fish proper conditions?

My tanks get tannin stained every rainy season, to the point where I sometimes have a hard time seeing the back of the tank.
Are you willing to do this?

And even though this naturally occurs in my tank, because of the high alkalinity of my tap water, pH remains at 8, so I could never keep a coryphaenioides, or one of my holy grail species Uaru fernandezyepezi, it just wouldn't be practical for that species, health wise.

 

[Kevin@TUIC]

What is the difference between Cory and Temp Chocolates

Adult wild temporalis that I packed and sent out today actually:

Young adult wild coryphanoides:

www.Tangledupincichlids.com

 

[A201]

Something about keeping a wild caught Chocolate is very appealing.
I believe the H. Temporarilis pictured above looks to be female. The rounded forehead is a female trait. I have no experience with the H. Coryphanoides variety.
I have a pair of Florida hatchery bred H. Temporarlis Chocolates, which are laid back, colorful giants.
Here's pics of my domestic Chocolates.