Confirm this ID?

[Ayi]

Got this cichlid from petco a while ago, maybe March. It was labels as a peacock. Since then it has gotten way darker and is now black. I think it is a pindu, which is a critically endangered species. I would hate for it to die in my tank.







It was out if water for less than two seconds for that pic.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

Im unsire but he is real pretty

 

[DUPRASAQUARIA]

Not sure but it looks like a peacock

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Looks like a juvie or female blue ahli. A large fast swimming hap. Hope you have the room!

 

[Ayi]

I don't think t was a peacock because it is longer and more sleek than any of the peacocks I've ever seen and it is solid black except the bottom so I don't think it's a blue ahli. I had one of those but as I learned more about them I gave it away. The body shapes were different in the face.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Female and juvie ahli show no color at all.

 

[Ayi]

Female and juvie ahli show no color at all.

From the pics I saw they had a blue tint l, but I guess I was imagining it. Thank you!

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

I dont mean to be rude... but people who work at petco. wont even buy fish from their own store. I get people who work at petco. come to me at Reef Connections to buy fish... Not saying never do it, Hell I bought two cichlids from petsmart the other day... love em. If there is a mom and pop shop in your area that is reliable... try them from now on, you most likely wont run into this kinda issue and will be 10 times more happy with your fish keeping. And again not disrespecting petco. but they arnt the best. Trust me you wont regret it. Good luck with your fish. I wish I knew what it was.

 

[Freakgecko91]

I can guarantee without a doubt that it is not a pindu. Those are extremely rare in the hobby and are not going to be found at a big chain

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

I can guarantee without a doubt that it is not a pindu. Those are extremely rare in the hobby and are not going to be found at a big chain

This is infact a true statement... I dont want to change the topic, but does anyone know why it is that pindus are such a rare find? Is it maybe difficult to breed? Or just not a well sought after fish?

 

[Ayi]

I dont mean to be rude... but people who work at petco. wont even buy fish from their own store. I get people who work at petco. come to me at Reef Connections to buy fish... Not saying never do it, Hell I bought two cichlids from petsmart the other day... love em. If there is a mom and pop shop in your area that is reliable... try them from now on, you most likely wont run into this kinda issue and will be 10 times more happy with your fish keeping. And again not disrespecting petco. but they arnt the best. Trust me you wont regret it. Good luck with your fish. I wish I knew what it was.

I get all of my fish from small self owned stores now. I bought this fish before I found a good lfs.

I can guarantee without a doubt that it is not a pindu. Those are extremely rare in the hobby and are not going to be found at a big chain

From the pictures of pindu they look about the same to me. Idk maybe it's a hybrid or something.

 

[Ayi]

This is infact a true statement... I dont want to change the topic, but does anyone know why it is that pindus are such a rare find? Is it maybe difficult to breed? Or just not a well sought after fish?

They are critically endangered in the wild because of pollution but I'm not sure why they aren't common I the hobby.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

If this question is unanswered, and you must know what your little guy is... ask your petstore who they get their cichlids from and make a personal phone call to this breeder or via email. Ask the breeder if they DO own Pindus or anything that this could be.

 

[Ayi]

If this question is unanswered, and you must know what your little guy is... ask your petstore who they get their cichlids from and make a personal phone call to this breeder or via email. Ask the breeder if they DO own Pindus or anything that this could be.

I'm not set on knowing what he is. I was just wondering. Thanks got the help everybody!

 

[Freakgecko91]

Your fish has vertical banding which is completely absent in pindu. Pindu are simply NOT going to be found at a petco, petsmart, or whatever other big chain store. The fish farms they get their fish from typically are going to specialize in species easy to breed in captivity, or species that are easily collected from the wild. That's why pindu are not more common in the hobby, lack of wild caught specimens to start more captive breeding programs, plus many do not want a black or brown fish unless they truly love fish, most want bright colors or interesting patterns. Like I said, it's not a pindu and I'd be absolutely shocked if it was, dumbfounded really. I'm not the most knowledgeable with African Rift lake cichlids, I know more than most, but I can't ID him, so I wish you luck.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

Okay... this is not a pindu... sorry... whatever it is, we have one in our store that I am 100% certain is the same fish as yours. We have never ordered a pindu.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

Is this your fish?

 

[Ayi]

Is this your fish?

Yes it is.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

Alright Ill see if I can find our order list.

 

[Freakgecko91]

It's probably a electric blue ahli youngster that's a bit stressed by other fish