Fish Identification Please

[lilacamy931]

Ok guys, I came away with this guy completely by accident a few weeks ago. I had brought some neons from a trusted dealer and usually just walk in and tell them what I want. Turned out I ended up with the neons and this little guy. I thought he would get eaten up as he was smaller than a 5p piece. Now though as you can see he is growing..so what is he? I have no clue whatsoever

 

[Wills]

Can you get any more side on shots. Its certainly a cichlid, but I cant tell from that angle and distance. Its either some kind of Laetacara, Aequidens or on a rather strange tangent it could be an Archocentrus. Or I could be totally wrong haha. But if it has grow quite fast I would suspect one of the larger species I mentioned as bigger fish grow faster in their early years.

Wills

 

[lilacamy931]

Thanks for the fast reply Wills Least I have cichlid to go on! I will try to get some more pics but he is pretty darn fast.

 

[lilacamy931]

Here are some that are hopefully better:

Here is roughly 3/4 up to an inch now. I was in the same shop today and had a look round this time but couldnt see any similar.

 

[AstonN24vantage]

maybe a convict

 

[rdp50734]

Looks similar to a young salvini but I cant be sure defo not a confict!

 

[Wills]

Yeah it is definitely a cichlid, and I am pretty certain its a Central American one at that. My guess is Archocentrus Centrarchus aka the Flier Cichlid. The body shape is right but the golden eye in the middle of the head separates it from the other close guess which would be something from the old Cryptoheros genus but as it grows up it could turn out to be something else.

It could be a baby Rainbow cichlid though but the body shape is a bit off? Though again as it grows it might change further.

My other guess would be something from Amphilophus - In particular Ampilophus Lyonsi but I think this is quite unlikely.

If it is the Flyer Cichlid, its probably as aggressive as a firemouth - so not very outside of spawning. But I believe they are quite herbivorus. They are actually quite a rare fish, especially in the UK with not many outlets selling them really but if it was fry then maybe its a hobbyest who has passed on some young from their pair? I believe you are the only one on this forum with a fish from this family as well

Wills

 

[lilacamy931]

LOL thanks very much for the help guys, appreciated. Thanks Wills so I have ended up with an unsual youngster? Well all I am feeding is flake, bloodworm, some meaty foods and spirulina and he eats it all. Im guessing only time will tell? I dont have long term plans to keep him but will give him a head start in life before either offering to someone on here or taking back to the store. (If anyone is interested feel free!) He is in with other fish including a puffer so considering he has made it this far.

 

[star4]

If it was a flier I would have thought the eye stipe would be visable. I would go for a rainbow with that eye colour.

Found it, another member has a baby rainbow, is it a little like this?

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/339593-rainbow-cichlid/

 

[lilacamy931]

That does look alot like him! I have now transferred the blighter into a bigger tank and hopefully he will hold his own.