ID some tiny cichlids - Aquarium Advice

CatatonicBug · 05-29-2008, 04:22 PM

I just visited a LFS for the first time, and they had a nice selection of fish. One tank had a label "assorted cichlids - $3.98"! They are so cute, and only 3/4" long at this point. I believe the yellow one is a yellow lab, but I don't know about the other 2. One is a bit blue-er than the other, but they both seemed to like hiding under one of the rocks in the sand. Can anyone ID these guys? Sorry for the bad image quality - it was my cell camera, and the best I could get with such quick-moving fish.

JustOneMore20 · 05-29-2008, 08:54 PM

The bottom picture looks like a Kenyi to me and possibly the one on the right as well.

CatatonicBug · 05-30-2008, 01:27 AM

Is it possible that they are the same species, but one is brighter blue than the other? I am so tempted to pick them all up! They are just so cute! I need some real color in my 47g, as all I have are red tetras and a Sevrum. That yellow would really add a new level of color... Do you think I woud have to worry about the sevrum going after these guys? He leaves the tetras alone, and doesn't seem to bother anything that moves out of his way.

mandown123 · 05-30-2008, 04:09 AM

i dont know a whole lot about FW, but those look like itd be worth setting up a seperate tank for at 4 bucks each. the yellow is real nice.

JustOneMore20 · 05-30-2008, 12:11 PM

Those are African Mbuna and I don't suggest keeping them in a community tank.

They need a dedicated African tank and a 4ft tank is usually best because of their aggression.

meegosh · 05-30-2008, 12:16 PM

I wouldn't throw those in with tetras, thats just asking for trouble. I have never kept cichlids before but I know they are very aggressive and love to nip, especially the yellow lab. My 4"+ syno eupterus can barely handle the yellow lab.

Idealconcepts · 05-30-2008, 12:38 PM

Yes blue stripped ones look like Kenyi and the yellow might be an Electric Yellow. As JustOneMore20 mentioned they need to be kept in a 4ft tank at least 55gal (or larger) and in a group of probably 10 -15 in that size tank.

chris127 · 06-05-2008, 05:06 PM

i have the exact same cichlids! same color and size. i have them in a tank with 3 feeder guppies and they dont touch the guppies for some reason. i bet they will when they get bigger.

the LFS lady said they were african mbuna when i got them.

BTW i paid 2.99 lol

CatatonicBug · 06-05-2008, 05:33 PM

Well, when I went back the next day, they were all gone. So, I picked up 2 slightly larger Yellow Labs instead. After doing some reasearch, I read that Yellow Labs are relatively docile, and tend not to mess too much with other fish. Of course, each fish is different, and I figure that since the Tetras are known for being nippy, and my Sevrum is basically big enough to eat the labs if he wanted to, I'm safe for now. I will watch the aggression, and see what happens.

**Fishyfanatic** · 06-05-2008, 06:54 PM

I don't recommend adding labs to a community tank. Labs are pretty docile alright, for Africans. They are in their own league.

05-29-2008, 08:54 PM	#2
JustOneMore20 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,124 Images: 8	The bottom picture looks like a Kenyi to me and possibly the one on the right as well. __________________ ~Kristin~ 5 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g My links to pics: My 40g breeder log, My tanks blog

05-30-2008, 01:27 AM	#3
CatatonicBug Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 503 Images: 6	Is it possible that they are the same species, but one is brighter blue than the other? I am so tempted to pick them all up! They are just so cute! I need some real color in my 47g, as all I have are red tetras and a Sevrum. That yellow would really add a new level of color... Do you think I woud have to worry about the sevrum going after these guys? He leaves the tetras alone, and doesn't seem to bother anything that moves out of his way. __________________ Remember - in Aquaria, nothing good happens fast. Starting a new tank? Click here for instructions. 47g tall FW, 10g planted, 2.5g planted office tank

05-30-2008, 12:11 PM	#5
JustOneMore20 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,124 Images: 8	Those are African Mbuna and I don't suggest keeping them in a community tank. They need a dedicated African tank and a 4ft tank is usually best because of their aggression. __________________ ~Kristin~ 5 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g My links to pics: My 40g breeder log, My tanks blog

05-30-2008, 12:16 PM	#6
meegosh Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 432 Images: 2	I wouldn't throw those in with tetras, thats just asking for trouble. I have never kept cichlids before but I know they are very aggressive and love to nip, especially the yellow lab. My 4"+ syno eupterus can barely handle the yellow lab. __________________ 10g - 13 Guppy Fry \| Plants: Java Moss & Amazon Swords 30g Long - 6 Neons, 5 Diamonds, 4 Peppered & 2 Albino Corys, 1M/2F Guppies, 1 Upside-down Catfish

05-30-2008, 12:38 PM	#7
Idealconcepts Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Moved Posts: 244	Yes blue stripped ones look like Kenyi and the yellow might be an Electric Yellow. As JustOneMore20 mentioned they need to be kept in a 4ft tank at least 55gal (or larger) and in a group of probably 10 -15 in that size tank. __________________ "Talk does not cook rice" - old Chinese proverb (I think it means stop talking and start doing)

05-30-2008, 04:09 AM	#4
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	i dont know a whole lot about FW, but those look like itd be worth setting up a seperate tank for at 4 bucks each. the yellow is real nice.

06-05-2008, 05:06 PM	#8
chris127 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 124	i have the exact same cichlids! same color and size. i have them in a tank with 3 feeder guppies and they dont touch the guppies for some reason. i bet they will when they get bigger. the LFS lady said they were african mbuna when i got them. BTW i paid 2.99 lol

06-05-2008, 05:33 PM	#9
CatatonicBug Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 503 Images: 6	Well, when I went back the next day, they were all gone. So, I picked up 2 slightly larger Yellow Labs instead. After doing some reasearch, I read that Yellow Labs are relatively docile, and tend not to mess too much with other fish. Of course, each fish is different, and I figure that since the Tetras are known for being nippy, and my Sevrum is basically big enough to eat the labs if he wanted to, I'm safe for now. I will watch the aggression, and see what happens. __________________ Remember - in Aquaria, nothing good happens fast. Starting a new tank? Click here for instructions. 47g tall FW, 10g planted, 2.5g planted office tank

06-05-2008, 06:54 PM	#10
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,254 Images: 15	I don't recommend adding labs to a community tank. Labs are pretty docile alright, for Africans. They are in their own league. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

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