Orange Lab-like Africans at PetSmart

[Labenator65000]

In my local PetSmart's infamous "Assorted African Cichlids" tanks, the tank almost always is 90% full orange lab-like cichlids, like the one in this pic http://www.petsmart.com/product/zoom/index.jsp?productId=3953743. They all look very similar. Does anyone know what they could be? Are they mutts? Are they safe to go with standard Yellow Labs?

Yes, I am aware of the reputation that PetSmart has in some people's eyes. However, my sources for purchases are limited, and I have had good luck with them as long as I am cautious about it.

 

[xtra51]

They do seem to be mutts. I have a friend that has a large aquarium with cichlids and bought all blue....I forget at the moment what they were, and they are now all yellow. My guess is that they are mutts. And I really like getting fish from PetSmart! They are a lot better than Walmart, which almost always all of the fish I get there die. RIP fish from Walmart! Hope this helps!

 

[phoenixkiller]

Your Walmart still sells fish? I need to sue them...

 

[Labenator65000]

So, ya... any idea what those fish are (at PetSmart)?

 

[Malawi Freak]

No help here. Can't open that page on my phone. Are you sure they aren't red zebras?

 

[a.tetreault]

they are probably some sort of hybrid

 

[tiger terror]

In my local PetSmart's infamous "Assorted African Cichlids" tanks, the tank almost always is 90% full orange lab-like cichlids, like the one in this pic http://www.petsmart.com/product/zoom/index.jsp?productId=3953743. They all look very similar. Does anyone know what they could be? Are they mutts? Are they safe to go with standard Yellow Labs?

Yes, I am aware of the reputation that PetSmart has in some people's eyes. However, my sources for purchases are limited, and I have had good luck with them as long as I am cautious about it.

Could be red zebra..

 

[Talvari]

Im assuming they are red zebra... Cause we sell those too, and thats what they look like.

 

[Wy Renegade]

The fish pictured by the OP are most likely Red Zebras - they are generally more aggressive than the yellow Labs, will work in the same tank provided you have lots of hiding places, and lots of fish.

 

[Labenator65000]

The fish pictured by the OP are most likely Red Zebras - they are generally more aggressive than the yellow Labs, will work in the same tank provided you have lots of hiding places, and lots of fish.

thanks!

 

[bcurlacher54]

its a red zebra.

 

[Labenator65000]

The fish pictured by the OP are most likely Red Zebras - they are generally more aggressive than the yellow Labs, will work in the same tank provided you have lots of hiding places, and lots of fish.

OK then what are the common best practices for Red Zebras? e.g. M:F Ratio; rules for an all-male tank; never have them in states containing the letter "S", etc. You know, the kind of things that I wish I would have known before actually purchasing them...

 

[sliderfish]

Red Zebras will interbreed with your labs...Many of the petco assorteds are hybrids

 

[Malawi Freak]

Red zebras can be more aggressive than the more timid cichlids but arent really that bad. Just like many other africans, try to go with a 1:3 ratio. Feed a quality pellet and spirulna flake.

 

[garfy]

Red zebras can be more aggressive than the more timid cichlids but arent really that bad. Just like many other africans, try to go with a 1:3 ratio. Feed a quality pellet and spirulna flake.

+ 1 I have five red zebras and they don't cause me any problems.I have one male and four females.