Species ID Help!

Cecil2010 · Apr 18, 2012

can anyone help me identify what kind of african cichlids that i have? Any and all information is appreciated!
(1) http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/members/60550-albums9209-picture36094.jpg
(2) http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/members/60550-albums9209-picture36093.jpg
(3) http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/members/60550-albums9209-picture36092.jpg
(4) http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/members/60550-albums9209-picture36091.jpg

And if they happen to be dimorphic the sex would also be nice to know.
P.S.
this is my first post and im not sure if the pictures will show up right, if not the pictures are in my photo album and they are the only four cichlids in there.

Thanks in advance! :fish2:

Bryanm70 · Apr 19, 2012

1) Pseudotropheus Socolofi mixed with something else
2) Melanochromis Auratus mixed with something else
3) Melanochromis Pallarelus mixed with Melanochromis Auratus
4) Not sure?

All hybrids though

P.S. If you plan on continuing any of these strains, I'd recommend #3. Very nice color pattern.

EDIT: Had # 2 and 3 mixed up. Fixed it tho

Cecil2010 · Apr 19, 2012

Wow thanks a lot, I must have spent 2 to 3 hours browsing through pictures of all the different species lol. Can you tell based on their color or pattern which sex they are or is venting the way to go?

Bryanm70 · Apr 19, 2012

Cecil2010 said:
Wow thanks a lot, I must have spent 2 to 3 hours browsing through pictures of all the different species lol. Can you tell based on their color or pattern which sex they are or is venting the way to go?

For the Auratus you can tell by the color. Female Melanochromis are lighter in color while males are darker, but can be lighter when stressed or at the juvenile stage. I would say that #3 is a female, #2 male and #1 & #4 you'd probably have to vent. If you could get some pictures of #4 someone else could probably tell you what it is.

Malawi Freak · Apr 19, 2012

Those are some crossed cichlids there.

Those id's could be correct but I don't necessarily agree with them.

Malawi Freak · Apr 19, 2012

As for Auratus, males are blue females are yellow. The blue coloration will not appear until sexual maturity has been reached.

Cecil2010 · Apr 19, 2012

and i am thinking that #4 could be a Pseudotropheus lombardoi. What do you think?

Thanks again!

Cecil2010 · Apr 19, 2012

I'm not sure on their exact age. i have had them for about 6-8 months and they are all 3-4 inches long but they haven't necessarily grown but maybe half an inch since I've had them so i would assume that they are all mature.

Bryanm70 · Apr 19, 2012

Cecil2010 said:
I'm not sure on their exact age. i have had them for about 6-8 months and they are all 3-4 inches long but they haven't necessarily grown but maybe half an inch since I've had them so i would assume that they are all mature.

They're sexually mature

Cecil2010 · Apr 19, 2012

well is there a reason why i havent seen any fry? are they that picky lol

Ukdans1k · Apr 19, 2012

Number 4 looks like it could be a crabro but might be mixed, not sure?

Cecil2010 · Apr 19, 2012

kay-bee19 · Apr 19, 2012

1. Possible maturing male metriaclima sp. msobo nearing completion of color shift. Until their color transition from a yellow fish to a black/blue fish, sub-adult male msobo's can look a little 'hybrid-ish'.

2. Male Melanochromis chipokae in sub-dominant colors.

3. Yellow lower-half caudal fin suggests melanochromis auratus; colors are washed-out.

4 Pseudotropheus crabro.

Cecil2010 · Apr 19, 2012

kay-bee19 said:
1. Possible maturing male metriaclima sp. msobo nearing completion of color shift. Until their color transition from a yellow fish to a black/blue fish, sub-adult male msobo's can look a little 'hybrid-ish'.

2. Male Melanochromis chipokae in sub-dominant colors.

3. Yellow lower-half caudal fin suggests melanochromis auratus; colors are washed-out.

4 Pseudotropheus crabro.

on #3 you said colors are washed out... what causes that?
and on #2 what do you mean by sub-dominate colors?

and thanks for your input!

Malawi Freak · Apr 20, 2012

Cecil2010 said:
on #3 you said colors are washed out... what causes that?
and on #2 what do you mean by sub-dominate colors?

and thanks for your input!

Colors get washed out due to breeding a female too long and also hybridization (crossing species)

Sub-dominate colors are when there is a dominate male in the tank other males will sometimes not show full color due to the pecking order.

Cecil2010 · Apr 20, 2012

OK that makes since on the sub-dominate colors because the Msobo is the dominate fish in the tank, and I've even started to notice that the chipokie will hide behind the filter outflow just to stay out of his way. that's why i have another thread asking how to go about cleaning creek rocks and slate so that i can build something with a lot more hiding spots, because im starting to feel bad for him lol.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/members/60550-albums9209-picture36226.jpg

and with the color washout i guess its just from the hybridization, because shes the smallest one in the tank and i couldn't imagine that shes already been bread.

Thanks for all your help!!

Malawi Freak · Apr 20, 2012

To clean rocks what I do is scrub them under hot water to remove any debris, then boil for 40 mins (you can scrub and repeat) then soak in a 40:1 water/bleach mix for 24 hours, then let them sit for 24 hours. If you can't smell bleach they are good to go.

Cecil2010 · Apr 20, 2012

so the bleach isn't going to mess with the fish or mess with the water? i realize that 40:1 is a small amount but i would think that being able to smell the bleach would be too much.

Malawi Freak · Apr 20, 2012

If you can't smell bleach on the rock it's all evaporated. That's why you let it sit for 24 hours.

Forgot to add I will sometimes soak in water with prime for ~12 hours after bleach.

Cecil2010 · Apr 20, 2012

ok that makes since. Thanks!!

Species ID Help!

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