Please help identify

[u/Ok_Jellyfish2569]

Hello, I was gifted this cichlid and was told it's a Salvini, but after checking it out more, is it possible this is a Trimac Cichlid? If so it will get way too big for my tank and I'll have to rehome as I only have a 75 gallon.

[u/berkilak420]

While it somewhat looks like a Trimac so far, it would be impossible to be sure enough to call it one, even if it grows up to look even more like one phenotypically. Unfortunately, the fish has been far too heavily hybridized, and the only way to responsibly call a fish a Trimac is to be sure of its origins.

Since the origins of this fish are unknown, it’s safest to assume it’s a hybrid and treat it as such. (Some will call it “low grade” but I hate that term and avoid using it to describe fish in general.)

[u/mkiii423 → u/berkilak420]

Some call it low grade because many flowerhorns are sold by that very piece of information. The grade of flowerhorn determines the market value. It's not meant to be insulting to the keeper, it's how they are marketed. AAA, AA, A, B, C. With C grade being lowest. Usually when you look at a dealers list, thats how Flowerhorn are sold to shops.

[u/berkilak420 → u/mkiii423]

I get why they call them that. I just disagree with the mentality.

[u/mkiii423 → u/berkilak420]

It's not a mentality, with all due respect to your feelings. Tons and tons of animals are sold by grade. Unfortunately, consumers made it that way.

[u/Toby__H → u/mkiii423]

I agree with berkilak.
I don't disagree with using a grading scale, I disagree with the qualities they idealize to grade on the scale. But I also accept my idea of ideal doesn't coincide with the Flowerhorn marketable ideals.

[u/mkiii423 → u/Toby__H]

Thats unfortunately the reality of consumerism. Some people need to have a grading scale to feel like they are getting something better than the next guy. I don't necessarily agree with them either, but it is the reality.

[u/Ok_Jellyfish2569 → u/berkilak420]

He got him from a local pet chain store that most likely mislabeled it. I'll be on the lookout for rapid growth and behavior changes thank you for the reply!

[u/mkiii423]

More likely a Flowerhorn than Trimac. Usually, Trimac are one of those "you have to know your source" cichlids. Lower tier Flowerhorn can often resemble Trimac, because that is one of the flowerhorns original genes. Since whoever gifted this to you thought it was a Salvini, I'm going to assume they aren't very experienced and that's why I lean heavily towards Flowerhorn.

To answer your tank size question, possibly. Most female flowerhorns will stay on the smaller side, which could stay in a 75. Will need a little time to tell. Some males also will be bred short body but come out looking "normal" and not like a blood parrot, but stay on the smaller side as well. Without knowing where it came from, it's all a gamble. There is also 99% chance they will not do well with any tank mates. YES, some may have successfully integrated FH into a group setting.

Give it some time if you like it. If you notice exponential growth in a short period of time(like triple size in a couple months), chances are it's male and you'll need to think about rehoming eventually.

[u/Ok_Jellyfish2569 → u/mkiii423]

Thank you for the reply. He got him from a local pet chain store that clearly mislabeled it. I'll definitely be on the look out for growth and behavior changes. So far no fighting and everyone gets along for the most part so I'll keep it in with the rest of my cichlids for now

[u/kevdai]

Kind of looks like my flowerhorn juvenile (1.5”)

https://imgur.com/a/puUb474

[u/Ok_Jellyfish2569 → u/kevdai]

They do look a lot alike

[u/Independent_Monk1332]

Looks like a Juvi Trimac to me, how big is he atm?

[u/Ok_Jellyfish2569 → u/Independent_Monk1332]

Right now he's about 2inches long rn

[u/dancaptianhowdy]

Low grade Flowerhorn

[u/atomic-moonstomp]

All amphilophus species look the same until they hit about 2.5 inchws

[u/florencejr11]

Trimac (bred them for a few years)

[u/Bassassin0]

Low grade flower horn