| Quite often, they are distinct species. Commercial fish farms raise mbuna in outdoor ponds by the hundreds, and ship out young ones in large numbers. Also, many of the "assorted cichlids" are very aggressive species, like auratus, so lack of ID makes it easier to sell them to unsuspecting, uninformed customers. There are many, many posts on other forums from folks who but these fish, then turn up asking "Why did this fish kill that fish?" |