Wigg's Hybrid Cichlid timeline.

[Wiggs]

Hello All :)

I recently acquired a interesting cichlid of some sort. I went online to look up possibilities of his origin and came up with nothing but a dozen different opinions as to what he may be a cross of. After much annoying of members here and threads on other forums, I've decided to wait him out and see how he looks and changes as he grows.

Now that's where the thread comes in. I figured it would be interesting to post updates and pictures as he grows, documenting any changes in coloration or pattern he may go through. It will certainly be a long process, over a year easily, probably more, but I think it will be VERY interesting to look back on.

So, with no further interruptions, I give to you, John Doe Cichlid :)


As he was upon introduction to the tank on 8/11/09

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/IRagg/Tx1.jpg

[Wiggs]

As he was 3 days after introduction, getting settled a bit and starting to develop a bit more color in his fins, including reddish tips.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/IRagg/Cichlid1.jpg

[Wiggs]

8/20/09

His coloring is much brighter and shinier, while his undertone has gotten a shade darker. Also, his eyes have become lighter, with yellow coming through oddly enough.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/IRagg/426538359_1481070865_0.jpg


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/IRagg/426538803_1481072478_0.jpg

[mommy1]

very nice looking fish Wiggs. this will be an intersting thread to watch and see how he looks when he grows up. :ssmile:

[Crispy]

Could be a dempsey/texas, definitely dempsey-looking.

[Wiggs]

Could be a dempsey/texas, definitely dempsey-looking.

If you are indeed correct, He will have the tank to himself...

With the attitudes of those two species, He'll be a brute! he's already highly territorial and has claimed and dug out a cave under a rock.

[KingFisher]

Great looking fish! I hope you are able to ID him. I'm looking forward to seeing the updates to this thread as he grows. thumbs2:

[Lab_Rat]

Beautiful fish, I see Texas cichlid in him. Will be interesting to see him mature.

[Wiggs]

Thanks everybody, I've known from day 1 he has Texas in him, but just waiting on pinpointing what else it may be!

[DrNic]

Cool! I can't wait too see what he looks like as he gets larger!

[red eyes]

looks a little firemouth-ish IMO

[Wiggs]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/IRagg/427583261_1484912588_0.jpg


taken tonight, hes getting a purplish undertone on his belly, maybe a darker blue its not too noticable but all his colors are getting darker.

[octoxpuss]

The fish almost reminds me of a EBJD with a firemouth mix.

[Goodbye]

Nice fish! Can't wait to see him fully mature! thumbs2:

Looks like a Jack Dempsey to me

[Lady Hobbs]

Very pretty. Firemouth is screaming at me, too.

[Ryanlives]

in agreement with most people on the thread, there is DEFINITELY texas in him, and jack dempsey looking for sure to!

[Wiggs]

I'm actually thinking Texas/Firemouth. the Red he is developing on the tips of his fins, the overall shape of his head/body/fins and the markings on his sides.

[Wiggs]

Hes growing like a weed, and eating like a cow. hes much longer and stockier then when I bought him.


need to get more pics soon. a noticeable difference, its amazing

[thatcichlidguy]

Looks like a dempsey cross of some sort, likely with a herichthys species. The blotch at the base of the dorsal and pearling point that way to me. Might be a female if it's a texas X dempsey . The blotch is normally found on female Herichthys. Could be something else though, hard to say with hybrids . Nice fish though.

[Wiggs]

update time!

he's gotten much bulkier, all around growth has been really good. Also developing an orange undertone around the top of his body.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/IRagg/DSCN0180.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/IRagg/DSCN0184.jpg

[Deleted User]

I don't know anything about these kinds of fish, but want to let you know that I think he is gorgeous!!! http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/smileys-91853/y/hearton.gif

[Wiggs]

I don't know anything about these kinds of fish, but want to let you know that I think he is gorgeous!!! http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/smileys-91853/y/hearton.gif


Thank you :)

[Lab_Rat]

He's looking great Wiggs! Ship him to me at xxxxxx, xx, xxxxx

[Wiggs]

finally got him to stop moving so i could get some of his color in a clear shot.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/IRagg/DSCN0204.jpg

[Red]

Wow, great looking fish you have there!

[Jon-C]

He's a buetiful fish have you thought maybe powder blue JD

[Deleted User]

I love the new picture of him!!!

[Wiggs]

Thanks everyone!

[Wiggs]

Well, he has now eaten an entire school of Buenos Aires Tetra, came home to the SPLASH of him grabbing the last one. They were all around an inch and a half. hes getting nasty as well, think this may be the end of the line with keeping him. hes growing at a crazy rate and I won't be able to get a tank large enough to house him :( Going to donate him to the best LFS around for their display tank as they are highly impressed with him. Offered me $20 store Credit for him, so i guess it's fair. I'm going to miss him though :(




So this will start a new Journal thread, coming tuesday. a Community tank with a large school of tetra, Corydoras and Rams or Angels. Fake plants to start. Income tax time in a few months will buy me pressurized Co2/lighting for live plants. Hopefully by then my 20 will yield enough good cuttings to help fill it :)



Sad day though :( hes going back tuesday to go on display for the rest of his life.

[Lab_Rat]

It's good you're doing what is right for him, if he's already outgrowing the tank and you can't upgrade in the near future. But it sounds like he's got a great place to go, make sure you take pics when he's an adult, I'd love to see how he turns out.

[Wiggs]

It's good you're doing what is right for him, if he's already outgrowing the tank and you can't upgrade in the near future. But it sounds like he's got a great place to go, make sure you take pics when he's an adult, I'd love to see how he turns out.


See that's the thing, its a curse! I'm giving him to the place all my money goes, so I'll just be there more to see him. I'll be SURE to take pictures, im really excited to see what he'll look like given the proper room.

[Deleted User]

Awww, I know this wasn't an easy choice but it sounds like a good one. Also, think how many people will see him and admire him! He might even be the cause of more people getting into the hobby so way to go!!! thumbs2:

[Jon-C]

I srry that sucks that you have to give up bit atleast you will see him when ever you want and know he will be well cared for