Lots of pics past and present

[Jason_S]

I've been wanting some socolofi for years and I've never been able to get any.Callolepis are also rare here.Being the largest growing of the genus they would be a nice find.
A friend of mine I met through a British forum is also a friend of Rusty Wessel, he visits his home fairly regularly. He is also a big thorichthys fan,and told me of a gold callolepis variant that Rusty has.He said it was at least 8 inches long and the most beautiful cichlid he has ever seen.
I have never seen this fish myself but man do I want some.

I remember seeing socolofi on Jeff Rapps' stock list once a few years ago, but I was out of the hobby at the time. I'm actually ticked that I didn't just buy a tank and order them anyway lol. Because yeah, socolofi and callolepis are definitely on my wish list, as well as aureus, mixteco golds and of course helleri again.

Now you said that callolepis is the largest growing of the genus. Rapps on his site lists pasionis as the largest growing. I'm trying to remember which species Wessell said was the largest (I've met him and visited his fish house as well) but can't remember, but I do remember him saying that callolepis was his favorite.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I had always thought pasionis was the largest but this information came from Rusty Wessell.
Having never personally keeping callolepis I could not say.Rusty Wessell does know thorichthys well though.I guess it's one of the two.

 

[dan518]

I've been wanting some socolofi

Rob had some in a few weeks ago, don't know if he still has,

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Rob had some in a few weeks ago, don't know if he still has,

Really.Do you know how much they were Dan?

 

[dan518]

Cannot remember the price, he was proud that he had them in, group of 5. About 2.5 /3 inch

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I

Cannot remember the price, he was proud that he had them in, group of 5. About 2.5 /3 inch

I bet they were snatched up pretty quickly. :'(

 

[Frank Castle]

love the coloration on those helleri

 

[dan518]

I
I bet they were snatched up pretty quickly. :'(

Yes still has them in, £15 each

 

[Stanzzzz7]

After these two below spawned yesterday



I came home today to find another pair guarding eggs.
They are no more than 10 inches away from the previous pair.
I also have a male guarding some wrigglers but can't get a picture as they are at the back of the tank behind a big rock. Hopefully I can get a few shots when the fry are free swimming.

Anyway here are some pics of the pair that spawned today busy guarding their eggs.

 

[cichlidfish]

Wow they are keeping you busy lol. You also have a meeki pair spawn in the same tank right?
I had HRP spawn within 10" of each other. I was skeptical that it would work out, but it did with very minimal aggression.
Is this a typical spawning time of year for meeki and helleri?