whats the difference?

[lethalp]

How can I tell the differece between a Ram and a Cupid Cichlid? I have 2 and can't tell what they are? They look exactly the same but aren't getting along at all. In my 29g I also have a 1 maybe 2 Cribs. One crib is healthy and happy the other one is smaller and flat refuses to ever come out? I also have 1 brichardi that one store says will be mean and the other says is peaceful? Seems to be ok likes to hide in cave. I also have a small light blue fish that I have no idea what he is!? Right now he is smaller than all the other fish, but he is a total pig! I don't feed all the time but he looks like he is eating all the time and whenever I do feed anyone else his belly gets huge! I don't see any stripes on him, just small and light blue. Any guesses? I added 3 green tiger barbs yesterday and they are doing fine, not getting bothered or bothering anyone. THe biggest problem is the 2 rams or whatever they are, they have locked lips a couple times. I really hate not knowing exactly what I have! Anyone with help out there?

 

[lethalp]

this is what I wrote a couple days ago. Nobody wants to reply?

 

[VoodooChild]

This "cupid" cichlid probably is just a ram, or maaaaaybe a Microgeophagus altospinosa, the Bolivian ram. I don't think that they would lock lips otherwise. However, fish of similiar coloration will show aggressive behavior towards one another, but usually this is more of an African thing. If you did get one of the more rare Microgeos I doubt that they would have labeled it a cupid cichlid. Usually if it's rare then you get the full latin name, and I've never seen a Microgeo other than the bolivians and the ramirezi. I'd say it's a ram. As far as the krib goes, just make sure that the skiddish one eats. The other could be keeping him in there, or he's just timid. The brichardi usually are pretty peaceful. Only in breeding conditions can they really get aggressive, and even then I've never really had a problem with them.

 

[Z Man]

A "Cupid" cichlid is Biotodoma cupido. It looks more like a Microgeophagus altispinosa, 'Bolivian Ram' than a Microgeophagus ramirezi, 'Blue Ram' You should find lots of photos of them all on your browsers. Cupid cichlids are very rare and need excellent water conditions.