I don't think so, I'm fairly certian it was a larger fish and I don't remember the banding. The lack of markings is what drew my attention to it - a bit odd for a cichlid. I googled "rare gray grey south american cichlid" pictures and so far nothing has come up that looks right. Found some neat marine fish... have no idea why that came up - but they live deep in the ocean and go for between $3,000 and $10,000 a fish in Asia. Now there is a pricey fish.
I remember him saying they occasionally will turn up in the ACA's trading post thing.
I might end up emailing him and asking him what it was - it's driving me batty now.