Cichlasoma (Vieja) synspilum (Redhead Cichlid) Question

[ragin_cajun]

Is there a way to tell male from female at younger ages? My son has 2 that are roughly 2-3". Both are starting to gain color.

No.

 

[Kim dennie]

Is there a way to tell male from female at younger ages? My son has 2 that are roughly 2-3". Both are starting to gain color.

Not too sure, that's a good question. I'll look into that for both of us. I have a question for you now. How long did it take to get 2-3"?

 

[Busterny]

Not too sure, that's a good question. I'll look into that for both of us. I have a question for you now. How long did it take to get 2-3"?

Not sure, I believe they doubled in size in roughly 6 months.

 

[evander508]

Can anyone tell me how long it takes for syns to be sexually mature?

 

[Maritimer]

I was simply stating from my view as a biologist on the color bit. Red creatures (high in carotene) bring out red in the animals that feed on them. Like flamingos (start out white, turn red/pink from krill). And salmon (farm raised are dyed the salmon pink color for market, as they're fed pellets and not krill the flesh is white when harvested).

farmed salmon are not dyed pink for market they are fed a natural carotene in their diet that turns their flesh pink naturally the same as trout and the same as they eat in the wild.

a proper diet brings out a fishes natural colour and enhances that colour it but feeding a red feed won't make the scales of your fish turn red. the fishes natural genetics make up its ultimate colour.

 

[MonsterFishCreeper]

Does anyone have any pics of syns actually getting over 12" or is it uncommon? I see a lot of them on the interwebs in the 10-12" range.

 

[jeaninel]

Mine was 13" when he passed

 

[Ihsnshaik]

Mine was 13" when he passed
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This thread makes me want to buy one again! I had a school of 6. Very peaceful fish except for the alpha male. He would protect the group mainly the females from getting picked on. My texas wanted one of the females im sure of it lol

 

[MonsterFishCreeper]

These fish have the perfect amount of nuchal hump in my opinion. Great looking fish.

 

[MonsterFishCreeper]

How would a single adult specimen of this species fare in a 75 gallon with a ten gallon sump? I have a drilled 75 that I don't know what to do with.