Cichlasoma (Vieja) synspilum (Redhead Cichlid) Question

[WildCAught]

I can't tell you what it is, just what it isn't. Look at all the photos posted just in this thread. Your fish is not a synspilium. I hate to throw the word hybrid around, but if I had to choose something, that would be it.

My thoughts exactly...

 

[cchhcc]

And shrimp, krill, and crayfish, will BRING out red, not damper it. Try feeding foods high in carotene (the source of red) for better color. Veggies won't bring out more red, but a varied diet will help with all around better looks.

QUOTE]
I was thinking the very same thing!

Some veggie flakes/pellets will actually bring out blues/blacks if they are high in spirulina.

 

[polomax24]

And shrimp, krill, and crayfish, will BRING out red, not damper it. Try feeding foods high in carotene (the source of red) for better color. Veggies won't bring out more red, but a varied diet will help with all around better looks.

I have three synspilium from Harry Tolen's old breeding pair (if anyone knows who he is), I'll get some photos up some time soon.

Just do a control experiment with your synspilums if you have many and learn how do their pigments vary with diets. I might be wrong but at least my opinion was based on my observation.

 

[Modest_Man]

All three of mine look quite different as it is, in the same tank with the same food and same lighting. One is much darker, more orange than yellow, one is more maroon than red, and one is the classic red with yellow. Lots of variability in this species.

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).

 

[greenterra]

I had 2 of these guys.They both had the same mixed diet and living conditions.The other which I lost was very red and orange with a wider range of colors in the body.The one I still have was always more blue and yellow..The blue in this guy has come out more with age as well as loss of color and it has nothing to do with diet.

 

[polomax24]

All three of mine look quite different as it is, in the same tank with the same food and same lighting. One is much darker, more orange than yellow, one is more maroon than red, and one is the classic red with yellow. Lots of variability in this species.

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).

Yes, I know you are a biologist but why would you feed meaty food to a herbivore. They have longer intestines. Meaty food would make them indigestion, obese, and reduce their life span.

So, in your opinion, if you feed some herbivores, cow for an example, a consistent meaty diet including krills, they'll be happy and colorup nicely...right????

 

[Modest_Man]

Ugh. I don't want to argue about this. Suffice it to say, carotene (found in red foods) brings out red, not blue and black. Which is all I said. Spirulina is also quite high in carotenoid pigments, so would be a great food for bringing out reds in synspilum.

And I don't want to get into a debate about their diet either, but I'd bet a lot of money on them being more omnivorous in nature than herbivorous. As a slight side note, mine love parsley and it gives them bright green feces. Fairly odd.

 

[Mystus Redtail]

Regardless of the color, I like them. Nice pictures I really like the one with all the fry in it. I have my two very small ones, and we'll see how they turn out, and now that I have two I want to buy the other 6... They are fun.

 

[BlueKiller82]

Heres my little guy. 2-3" and starting to show some nice red in head and fins.

 

[Beelzebubs]

Hi there everyone. Im new to this forum and stumbled across it whilst I was looking up information on my Cichlid. I own a Redhead Cichlid who I have had for 7 years now, when I purchased him, it was because his previous owners had decided he was too agressive as he had battered his tank to pieces and killed all the other community fish and plants. When I got him he measured between 9 - 10 inches from nose to tail but has grown significantly over the years to 14 - 15 inches. I have now been out and purchased him a very nice humongous tank to live in as he has outgrown his old living accomodation.
He lives alone as we have tried to put other fish in with him but after a few moments he goes in for the kill so he has lived in solitude all these years.
He is however the most amazing character you will ever find as all my guests are amazed at how intelligent he is.
He greets you when you approach the tank and almost bows his head to aknowledge you then dances from side to side if you move your head in the same fashion.
He has floating plastic balls which he enjoys playing with and he loves human company. I hope this dosent all sound too strange.
When I open the top of the tank for maintenance he has to swim to my hand and enjoys having the top of his head stroked and almost goes into a trance and if someone he dosent know sits too close to his tank he causes a sudden wave to soak whoever is sat near him.
We also hand feed him certain meats and he is always gentle and calm.
My problem is I am absolutley terrified about the day I have to put him into his new tank!
I will be calling my local Aquatics guru round to actually lift him out and place him in his new home but I was wondering if you may have any tips on keeping him calm and to stop him for injuring himself or becomming too stressed during the trauma of moving.
It would break my heart if anything were to happen to him as he is one of the family now and irreplacable.
He has been in the same tank for years now and the new surroundings may stress him out.
He is a very powerful fish and when he wants to move, he's like lightening!
Also could anyone tell me how long Redhead Cichlids actually live for? Im hoping its a very long time as I dont know what I'd do without him
Thanks for reading all this guys!
Take care and nice to meet you all..... all info very much appreciated.