Why are laetacara dorsigera called redbrest acara ?

[anewbie]

So this is my 'redbrest acara':

What i can't figure out is why are they called red-breast? When I hear redbreast i think robin. Are the above fishes natural colour or have they drifted from their natural colouring (these were tank raised as wc were not available at the time).

 

[Chromedome]

Those fish are far from natural colors. I've seen some that were pretty dark, but the usual color is a dark maroon on the breast. There were also wild populations that were bright cherry red on the breast:

These belonged to a friend who was supposed to maintain them until I got out of the navy. Unfortunately, he did not do so.

 

[anewbie]

Those fish are far from natural colors. I've seen some that were pretty dark, but the usual color is a dark maroon on the breast. There were also wild populations that were bright cherry red on the breast:

View attachment 14535

These belonged to a friend who was supposed to maintain them until I got out of the navy. Unfortunately, he did not do so.

The fish i had purchased had been in the trade for a long time; do you think it is possible they are actually a hybrid or cross between dorsigera and curviceps ? I say this because of the fin colouring and shape.

 

[Mike Wise]

The are several geographic populations of L. dorsigera. They look quite similar when not in breeding colors. Breeding color can vary from deep burgundy to sooty black, like yours do.