Cryptoheros question

[coltiger]

I don't know if this would be considered a dwarf question but also on my trip to the fish store I saw a Cryptoheros species marked "Blue eye"

The fish was gray with alittle blue to it, bluish gray I guess, it had really blue eyes and was shaped like a convict. None of the fish looked any different except in size. I can tell the fish is fairly aggressive, the fish didn't look like a sajica. There was one small black spot on the side, no extension to the dorsal. Any ideas on which fish this could be? Maybe I could buy a few and take pictures that might help lol

ps is cryptoheros considered dwarf?

[tjudy]

Here comes the debate. What is a dwarf. Since I am first to respond my OPINION will be on top.

IMO... yes Cryptoheros are dwarf. They are dwarf 'big nasty Central American' cichlids. My definition of dwarf takes into account fish of similar type. For example... Is Crenicichla regani a dwarf pike cichlid? yes... most pike cichlids get three or for times larger than a regani does, but a large male regani surpasses the conventional 4-5" that usually defines a dwarf.

The fish you saw are probably C. spirilium (sp?) or C. septemfasciatum. One of those two is generally called the 'blue eyed' cichlid. Based upon the description of the spot on the side, I would say septemfasciatum. Grab 'em up.. their cool. I have four Cryptos and love them:

C. nigrofasciatus 'pink' (yes... I own pink convicts .. and proud of it!)
C. nanoluteus
C. sp. 'honduran red point' ( I agree with Juan Miguel Atrigas Azas that this fish is just a small, colorful convict)
C. sajica 'gold side'

[lab]

I agree, Ted. It could be Cryptoheros septemfasciatus, but it could also be C. myrnae. These two species are quite similar, and share as a characteristic a lateral spot.

In #45 of this Danish debate (sorry) was posted a picture of a beautiful female C. septemfasciatus: http://www.cichlids.dk/debat/vis/98322/

Here, in #18 is posted a beautiful male C. myrnae: http://www.cichlids.dk/debat/vis/91012/

In Denmark C. myrnae was orignally sold as yellow septemfasciatus.

Best regards,
Lars

[tjudy]

True the C. myrnae has a lateral spot and blue eyes. I did not think it was that species based upon color descriptions. Myrnae are usually very yellow in the breast area and the color stands out enough to catch your eye. Myrnae is also relatively rare... but so is true septemfasciatum. Spilurus is much more common, especially the 'cutteri' form. That fish, however, has distinctive vertical bars.

[coltiger]

I could not get a positive id on the fish, Iam sure they will be there when I go back next week. Myrnae does look like a name on the tank and the fish I looked up on the web seem to resemble it more than the others you both mentioned.

[lab]

You are probably right, Ted:)
I just thought of C. myrnae as a possibility, without any photo to id from. Off course I wouldn't know anything about the availability of either species in your part of the world.

Coltiger: In this case I would be a bit cautious about id based on a web search. The two species are frequently confused for one another. The stores don't always get it right either.

[aspen]

>>'The stores don't always get it right either.'

'nuff said on that issue. he he.

rick

[coltiger]

Nature Pet Centre in Lasalle(Quebec) are pretty good at getting a wide variety of cichlids and other kinds of fish you don't normally get elsewhere. The guy that orders the fish is good friends with Oliver Lucanus and knows alot about what he orders, he goes direct and cuts out the middle man making it cost less for the customer. If anyone is in the Montreal area, you should check them out. At the Lasalle store ask for Brad or if he is not around ask for Robert but normally he is between all the stores.

I understand where the pet stores don't always get it right, I've worked for a few doozies lol The worst being Petcetera by far, another store here still has those Apistos in with the Haps only three left now and this was after I told them about it:rolleyes: