What species is this??

[Ilovecichlids]

I have no idea what these are can you help me?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

It looks to me like a type of cynotilapia afra. Does the bars on its sides get really dark at times?

 

[Ilovecichlids]

Yeah actually there are 2 of them one has black stripes and the other is paler and almost blends in with the blue. Seems like every time I try to take a picture they hide. I have only had them for I few days... I have them in my Malawi tank cause I saw them with electric yellow in the pet store but they were labeled as just mixed African cichlids and no one knew anything, they are really pretty and I couldn't resist to buy them... I will try to get a better pic

 

[Mouth-Brooder-Fanatic]

i had a very very hard try at identifying it. my conclusions: no idea though i agree. very cynotilapia in shape. but the colour is odd... some pseudotropheus elongatus ornatus have that colour. any chance it's a hybrid of some sort?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Yeah actually there are 2 of them one has black stripes and the other is paler and almost blends in with the blue. Seems like every time I try to take a picture they hide. I have only had them for I few days... I have them in my Malawi tank cause I saw them with electric yellow in the pet store but they were labeled as just mixed African cichlids and no one knew anything, they are really pretty and I couldn't resist to buy them... I will try to get a better pic

It's definitely an african Malawi mbuna. This is a list of afra go threw them and see if you can find it.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/results.php?genus=54

 

[Andrew McFadden]

i had a very very hard try at identifying it. my conclusions: no idea though i agree. very cynotilapia in shape. but the colour is odd... some pseudotropheus elongatus ornatus have that colour. any chance it's a hybrid of some sort?

Some are purple/blue bit if I love Cichlids can't get a photo when it colors up I'd go threw the list I gave to see if any match

 

[Ilovecichlids]

Here some more attempts... These guys are very camera shy... They almost change shades of blue , sometimes they look almost purple

 

[Wy Renegade]

Hard to say from the pictures. They could also be members of the Maylandia or Metriaclima genus. Members of this group where originally known as Pseudotropheus and were commonly referred to as "Zebras", many are still referred to by the common name (i.e. Red-top Zebras or OB Zebra).

 

[Andrew McFadden]

How about this guy
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1739

 

[Wy Renegade]

Possibly, could also be this or a related species;

Cichlid Profiles

 

[Ilovecichlids]

After looking at the Cynotilapia afra pictures I definitely think they are those...

 

[Ilovecichlids]

Yes Andrew! That's what they are with the long front fins, and how the stripes kind of bleed into the top fins!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Here is a thread from a couple weeks ago asking about what looks to be the same fish. It's on the 2nd page above the pleco photo http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f100/lets-play-name-that-fish-id-help-220189-2.html

 

[Ilovecichlids]

Yeah I think they are lupingu! Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

No problem

 

[Ilovecichlids]

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1728
I think this is actually it

 

[Andrew McFadden]

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1728
I think this is actually it

As long as they are cynotilapia you got yourself a great looking fish. I love this species.

 

[Ilovecichlids]

Thanks so much for your help! Yeah they are cool fish! I hope they grow out of their skittishness., could just be cause they are new.
-Cara

 

[Ilovecichlids]

Here is a better pic

 

[Andrew McFadden]

From my experience afras love to dig and hide but they do come out of hiding a lot. So with that being said the rocks in your tank will be dug from the bottom so be safe. Mine drive me crazy they dig so much. I can fill it in and the next day it will be right back to they way he had it.