Unidentified Cichlids • Sold as a geophagus surinamensis?

[Lunaakita]

Hi,

As said in the title I was sold 3 of these as geophagus surinamensis but since reading up I now wonder if they are the more common alitifron?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice,

Laura.

[Lunaakita]

Is this an altifron or geophagus surinamensis?

[Mr Chromedome]

For decades, any true Geophagus has been commercially sold as surinamensis, which in fact is quite rare in the hobby. The small lateral blotch suggests altifrons complex, as you have guessed.

[Lunaakita]

What do you mean by altifron complex? I thought am altifron was always the same. Can they breed with other types?

[Mr Chromedome]

There are many populations, as this is a wide spread species. It is also very likely that some populations will, in the future, be described as new species. They do have slightly differing patterns depending on the location.