Thats pretty much why there isn't one in the picture 
I think i'm going to buy an algae scrubber today.
I think i'm going to buy an algae scrubber today.New Pics: RD or Midas
- Thread starter vfrex
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Just goes to prove I am still terrible at guessing between juvie Midas and RDs! 
With the head- on view(of vfrex midas) and rus' red devil to compare to, I now see the difference in the lip size a lot better. Wow, that red devil has some kissers!
With the head- on view(of vfrex midas) and rus' red devil to compare to, I now see the difference in the lip size a lot better. Wow, that red devil has some kissers!
Lip size isn't really anything definant to go on because Costa Rican Midas are polymorphic in respect to lip development also. The mouth shape when viewed from above (as mentioned earlier) is probably the best method.
hey guys.. there could even be a chance that it is a cross breed between a midas AND a red devil.. you never know these days unless you get one from the wild..
Robdiep makes a good point. Especially considering the confusion in the hobby between the two species, the likelihood of a hybrid is not that remote. However, I still think that lip size is a better predictor than the very difficult "jaw shape" criterion, especially since it is much more observable. I have yet to see a fish with small lips that isn't an Amphilophus citrinellus, and have yet to see a thick-lipped fish that couldn't be identified as an A. labiatus (or at least an A. labiatus hybrid).
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the Costa Rican midas are reported to hybridize with the labiatus, which could be the reason for the strong polymorphism...
Mattimeo, do you have a link to an article that talks about this? If so please post it as I don't think I have read one yet that talks about the 2 fish cross breeding in the wild. In fact, most of the articles I've seen are speaking of how the different species will not cross breed.
Harry, why do you say the very difficult "jaw shape" criterion? I have found viewing the fish's head from above a very easy way of distinguishing the species. Also, I have thick lipped Midas, and simple lipped Red Devils (all wild).
I've read that the fish, if unable to find a suitable mate in the wild, will look for another species that suits its fancy. However, I don't remember if the article was talking about Midas' or RDs.
