Herichthys cyanoguttatus or Herichthys carpintis

[twhittle]

Just got this guy. Which one is he?

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Not a huge cichlid expert but want to say carpintus

 

[Gourami Swami]

Looks more cyano to me due to how small the spots are

 

[Stephen St.Clair]

Looks like a Cyano to me. A Carpintis should have pearling like this guy.

 

[Covetous]

Looks more like a cyano with the small spots.
Here a young carpintis for comparison.

 

[newworld]

Looks like a Cyano to me. A Carpintis should have pearling like this guy.

View attachment 1329756

This fish is neither...

 

[Stephen St.Clair]

That's true. It is a Texas hybrid. I was just pointing out the carpintis- like pearling.

 

[Toiletcar]

Cyano

 

[duanes]

For decades the two species have accidentally or purposefully been crossed, or not been even recognized as separate species, so if you got it from basic LFS or aquarist that didn't get it from a recognized cichlid breeder, expert like Rapps (etc), it is probably best to assume it is a aquarium strain cross.
Here is an H carpintus "laguna Chairel".

all shots are of the same male, in different moods, and different developmental stages.



now just for comparison, a pair of H tamasopoensus

I have also kept minckleyi and cyanoguttatus, and at certain stages of development, nearly impossible to discern between them (for me), unless placed in tanks right next to each other
below minckeyi (detritivorous version)

 

[astrocreep]

i got this dude from my local fish store, looks like a true cyano?