Publication2 med aquascape Publication1cs complete | Page 53

Vieja mix up?
Paratheraps / Vieja have become one of the most popular larger Central American cichlids within the
hobby, as many are readily available, very colourful when adult and easy to keep and spawn, however,
this popularity has certainly become their down fall! Many irresponsible keepers of these fish usually
keep a large tank of mixed Vieja, they then learn that Vieja are very easy to spawn and will easily hybrid-
ize. What happens next is these irresponsible keepers have offloaded mixed Vieja young to different fish
shops and then some unwitting aquarist buys a group to grow on, then six months down the line finds out
he/she is raising a hybrid fish which is no good to anyone! I know, I have been caught out myself. It’s very
difficult as most Paratheraps and Vieja juveniles are very much alike. They will be colourless, silvery grey
with either a lateral stripe or a caudal spot, giving no real hint of the species yo u are buying. The colour
may not properly develop until these fish are almost semi adult, then at this stage giving you a hint on
what you may be keeping. Of course other cichlids like V. argentea and V. regani are perhaps more ap-
parent and shouldn’t cause too much confusion when buying young.
If you are planning to buy a group of fish to spawn, then research well before hand, don’t just buy from
anyone. I would even advise to stay clear of classified ads or private sales, especially those that don’t
show a photo of what you are buying.
The Outsiders?
A recent study has found both V. heterospila and V. ufermanni, part of the Theraps clade? Both share
possible morphological characteristics of C. bocourti and C. pearsei, which have also been suggested be-
long to Theraps?
Vieja argentea and V. regani could possibly belong to a separately erected genus?
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