Can someone ID this American Cichlid for me?

[MRomalin]

I've had this guy for ~1.5 yrs...he was a raggy little PetSmart left-over, when I got him. No ID on the tank, and they don't ever seem to have any others quite like him. He's probably quadrupled in size, at least, isn't necessarily very aggressive, and has been overall an easy keeper.

I altered this photo a little bit to try and show his true colouring because the original did not show very well at all, but the red isn't quite that "purple" and black spots are outlined in a much more brilliant turquoise than I could bring out even with the enhancements.

Any ideas?

TIA

 

[cam191919]

why do you say american in the title?

 

[MRomalin]

He was in the "South American Cichlid" section when I bought him? I was just trying to differentiate... I left off "South" because I'm not sure what he really is, and some sites I've used while trying to ID him sub-categorised "South American" under a main heading of "American Cichlids." Is that an improper term, or usage? Do you know what kind of fish this is? I disclaimered "novice" in my intro post!

 

[fishorama]

Flowerhorn?

 

[terror spawnin]

Looks like a flowerhorn.

 

[lucy42083]

:iagree: It looks like a flowerhorn.

 

[MRomalin]

I googled "flowerhorn" images, and I'm wondering now! There are SO many different images--completely different looking fishes! Is he going to get that big "bulb" on his (or her) head? I didn't dig too deep; are there a large group of ssp, or could there be crosses?

Is this a typical colouration/pattern for these Flowerhorns? This one is about 5-6" right now (nose to tail-fin), and has grown rather remarkably in comparison to others. How BIG do they get? I have this fella in a 55g tank with 4 2-3" Midas, 2 8-10" Red-tail Barbs, 2 10" Pictus cats, 2 2-2.5" Green terrors, 2 1-1.5" convicts, 1 6+" Firemouth, 1 red-tail shark 4-5", and this guy in attached photo: (another ID question--got him the same day as "Flowerhorn" same tank, no ID available, and nearly same size when I got him....pic also enhanced a bit to show how pretty he really is, and not drab colours original attributed to him...as close as I could get...not QUITE so black--close though, but colours ARE that bright...he's beautiful!)

I'm a little concerned that these guys will seriously outgrow this tank too quickly, if he's going to get as big it seems he might. I mean, giving what I'm slowly learning about the others. I didn't realise the Midas would get as big as they may. Having seen some pics of the convicts here, I'm thinking the 4" max stated on the tank at PetSmart might not be so accurate, and the two Green Terrors have grown considerably in the past 3-4 weeks I've had them....

Barbs are older fellas, so are Picts (ex had 2 yrs before giving to me in '04~ So I'm hoping they're done!), red-tail cat is 2ish y/o (also aquired from ex on the--tend to get "his" fish everytime he deploys) from what I've read this one should be pretty close to full-size, and Firemouth is probably 4-5 yrs...so I would think he's gone too... Just wondering. I wasn't planning on upgrading any time soon, but...

 

[fishorama]

AFAIK flowerhorns are hybrids between variable & questionable parents. There are some "named" ones that may have reproducible bloodlines. Large & aggressive is the general description.

Male cichlids of many species often develop humps as they grow.

That looks like a jack dempsey in the latest pic but that purple is different, not sure.

 

[lucy42083]

I have this fella in a 55g tank with 4 2-3" Midas, 2 8-10" Red-tail Barbs, 2 10" Pictus cats, 2 2-2.5" Green terrors, 2 1-1.5" convicts, 1 6+" Firemouth, 1 red-tail shark 4-5", and this guy in attached photo: (another ID question--got him the same day as "Flowerhorn" same tank, no ID available, and nearly same size when I got him....pic also enhanced a bit to show how pretty he really is, and not drab colours original attributed to him...as close as I could get...not QUITE so black--close though, but colours ARE that bright...he's beautiful!)

I'm a little concerned that these guys will seriously outgrow this tank too quickly, if he's going to get as big it seems he might. I mean, giving what I'm slowly learning about the others. I didn't realise the Midas would get as big as they may. Having seen some pics of the convicts here, I'm thinking the 4" max stated on the tank at PetSmart might not be so accurate, and the two Green Terrors have grown considerably in the past 3-4 weeks I've had them....

If you aren't planning on upgrading anytime soon, you will either have to change your plans or return some fish to the LFS I'm afraid. Flowerhorns can grow to over a foot and have quite a thick girth, and the same for your 4 Midas. The Green Terrors will grow to 8 inches, and I agree the last pic looks like a JD which will also get to 8 inches or so. All of these fish, espeically Midas and Flowerhorn, will get very aggressive and territorial as they mature.

 

[MRomalin]

This pic doesn't look quite the same as it did b/4 I attached...the purple is more brownish/beige w/a touch of orange (tinting) IRL; and, the black is, well, it's black, but not THAT black... not sure how to explain the colour. The red-orange fin-stripe is true, as are the turquoise spots. Definition was difficult because he kept moving. Sorry to post enhanced photos! I thought it would make ID easier.