Firemouth Cichlid/bolivian Ram Hybrids?

[Mr Melt]

Allright lads.

I was in the Belfast Pets at Home there this morning getting a German Blue Ram for my big tank (to accompany the one already in there). Anyways in an adjacent tank I noticed a ton of Bolivian Rams.... except they were grey, with unique markings (much more different than the original Bolivians). When I asked instore I was told that they were a crossbreed between Firemouth Cichlids and Bolivian Rams.

Of course this has intrigued me. Was the salesperson talking out their #14### or is this a genuine marketed new Bolivian variant?

(PS - I couldn't resist getting 2 for my tank; as you can see from the picture below)

 

[Chris2]

Well they definitely look different! I cant tell you 100% that what the store guy told you is true, but id be willing to believe it.

 

[soybean]

They just look like extremely stressed Bolivians to me.

 

[Wills]

Not going to say 100% not true as it could happen as Firemouths cross breed with a lot of things but it is highly unlikely - and whats more is its highly unlikely simply because pets at home dont take in batches of fish from private breeders and I cant imagine any of the farms that pets at home would import from would ever entertain the idea of the hassle of moving on hybrids like this simply because of how many other shops would not take hybrids like this for various reasons.

To me they look like stress Bolivian Rams - I am interested to see what they look like in a few weeks but even in body shape I cant see any Thoricthys

Wills

 

[onidrase]

Agreed, just look like stressed bolivians. Most New World Cichlids can cross breed with each other, but I doubt a firemouth and bolivian would.

 

[moochy13]

Ive got a bolivian that gets picked on, he looks a bit like that.

 

[parker313]

Stressed bolivian was my first thought too.

 

[Mr Melt]

Well its to be expected; theyve only been in the tank for a few hours =P

Update - they both have now developed red along their fins and yellow bellies. Will keep you posted.

 

[onidrase]

Well its to be expected; theyve only been in the tank for a few hours =P

Update - they both have now developed red along their fins and yellow bellies. Will keep you posted.

Both are normal bolivian ram traits.

 

[soybean]

Yeah, they are normally yellow with pinky red tinges.

Sorry to disappoint you but I think you have bog-standard Bolivians! They are lovely fish in their own right, I don't think I'd want one half firemouth! I think the employee improvised

 

[Mr Melt]

Yeah, they are normally yellow with pinky red tinges.

Sorry to disappoint you but I think you have bog-standard Bolivians! They are lovely fish in their own right, I don't think I'd want one half firemouth! I think the employee improvised

I'm not disappointed at all - I wanted normal Rams to begin with! I've always been suspicious of what I'm told in that Pets at Home store anyway; eg. they told me that a Black Moor could happily live in my big tank - its temperature is set to 27..... (although to be fair to P&H the one in Newtownabbey is far better).

 

[soybean]

How much were they each, out of interest?

 

[Mr Melt]

How much were they each, out of interest?

Is it terrible that I forget?

Cost me either £8.99/9.99 for both I think.

 

[Mr Melt]

UPDATE - here's a few pictures of one of the rams now (with far more colour).

Out of interest - what sex would this ram be?

 

[minnnt]

Yeah just normal bolivians mate. They're usually 2 for £10 at p@h. Keyholes and firemouths are 2 for £7.