Mislabeled as Laetacara curviceps?

[AlexBL]

Hello everyone,

kindly asking for help with correct identification of the fish pictured below. I bought it a month ago in a LFS as a male Laetacara curviceps to cheer up my recently widowed female L curviceps. The fish appeared to be the alpha male in a tank full of clear Laetacara curviceps.

When I came home and released the fish into a quarantine, I immediately realized that most likely this was not Laetacara curviceps. While the coloration was similar, the differences in body shape and behavior were clear. Due to logistics issues, I could not return the fish to the LFS right away so I decided to keep it nevertheless. Few weeks later, I released it into a 300L aquarium with 4 Laetacara dorsigera, the (widowed) female L curviceps and some Apistogramma macmasteri.

So far it's working without any issues, but it's clear that this is no Laetacara. It's extremely active and voracious eater. It measures roughly 7centimeters (including fins) and has a large black spot on a side. Any ideas what the fish could be? So far, after investigating a bit myself online, my best guess would be Cichlasoma pusillum, but the evidence is inconclusive. Hence, it would be great if anybody could either confirm that this is C pusillum or perhaps identify it as something else. It would be great to know what exact fish this is so that I know how big it can get.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[KenL]

It is a lovely fish. It looks like a Laetacara to me, the tail markings especially.
Thayeri perhaps?

 

[anewbie]

It is a lovely fish. It looks like a Laetacara to me, the tail markings especially.
Thayeri perhaps?

Definitely not Thayeri which i've had. It is either l. dors or l. curv - i believe they are dors but i'll let the expert chime in even if i'm pretty sure they are dors

 

[AlexBL]

Thanks for a response! It absolutely is a lovely fish, that's why I'm in no rush to return it to LFS - unless I find out that its tank requirements exceed my capacities.

Nevertheless, I'm really sceptical about this particular fish being a Laetacara. As I said, I currently have 2 pairs of L. dorsigera and have had multiple pairs of L. curviceps in the past. All these Laetacaras have always been relatively subdued and timid. On the other hand, the fish in question was eating out of my hands on the second day. Its body shape is also a bit different and visibly bulkier. It easily eats as much food as all the 4 L dorsigera combined. It also does not seem to exhibit any sort of agression towards them. (Which was not entirely the case when I was trying to keep 4 dorsigera with 2 curviceps in the same tank.)

 

[anewbie]

Thanks for a response! It absolutely is a lovely fish, that's why I'm in no rush to return it to LFS - unless I find out that its tank requirements exceed my capacities.

Nevertheless, I'm really sceptical about this particular fish being a Laetacara. As I said, I currently have 2 pairs of L. dorsigera and have had multiple pairs of L. curviceps in the past. All these Laetacaras have always been relatively subdued and timid. On the other hand, the fish in question was eating out of my hands on the second day. Its body shape is also a bit different and visibly bulkier. It easily eats as much food as all the 4 L dorsigera combined. It also does not seem to exhibit any sort of agression towards them. (Which was not entirely the case when I was trying to keep 4 dorsigera with 2 curviceps in the same tank.)

The only problem with keeping dors with curv is they can technically cross breed. It is common for the domestic blue form of dors to be sold as curv in the usa - the curvs tend to be slimmer and body pattern different - seen pictures but of course some pictures are mislabelled I have wc red form dors now and they are a lot smaller then the domestics. Maybe 1/2 the size.

The thing that is confusing me is the tail spot. Mrs. google sez the species with a tail spot are araguaiae but the ones i've had have been a bit more colourful.

Anyway araguaiae are compatible with the other two species in terms of behavior et all but again technically they can cross breed. My last group aged out but they are easy to breed just soft water (120tds is fine) and don't have the temp too high.

 

[MacZ]

I'm leaning towards a young Andinoacara. But don't pin me on saying which species. The snout shape and the eye-size to body ratio point me that way.

 

[anewbie]

I'm leaning towards a young Andinoacara. But don't pin me on saying which species. The snout shape and the eye-size to body ratio point me that way.

You mean it is going to be a green terror and destroy everything ?

 

[anewbie]

There is an Andinoacara sp. “Orinoco” that is really spectacular looking and just maybe it won't terrorize the neighborhood