Chilotilapia rhoadesii ????

[Sunnyraven]

I bought my chilotilapia rhoadesii in 8/12 at 2". He is about 6" and only barely blue. He is the largest african cichlid in My tank. I have been told that he may be a protomelas type instead?? Anyone have experience with this? Could he just be poorly bred? He is currently in a 55g, which I am upgrading to 100+ soon!
Ty

 

[Mogurako]

I don't believe it's a rhoadesii, the head and mouth proportions look off. Rhoadesii have a very sharply slopped forehead and smaller mouth.

I'm not sure off the top of my head what it is however but I'll do some digging.

 

[Mogurako]

Does the fish have some red in the fins? If so I believe it could be Protomelas sp. "johnstoni solo". However more pictures that include the tail will help out allot.

 

[Freakgecko91]

I agree, not a rhoadesii, but I have no clue what it could be unfortunately. Haps aren't my forte by any means lol

 

[Sunnyraven]

Thanks! I thought maybe a protomelas taeniolatus Likoma island tangerine tiger... He isn't showing any red so I think a Red Empress is out. I appreciate your feedback��

 

[Brandon D.]

Is that similar to a buccochromis?

 

[Sunnyraven]

Chilotilapia cont.

This pic is better, for fins...he is very shy and as soon as he sees the camera he bolts!

 

[Sunnyraven]

The very tip of his dorsal fun is orange then a thin white line then it's dark.

 

[Sunnyraven]

The stripes on a johnstoni are much wider and fewer in number than his.

 

[Mogurako]

After looking online and consulting back and forth with FreakGecko I am pretty positive what you have is a male Protomelas taeniolatus (Likoma Is.) in non-dominate coloration. It's could however be a cross since it was mislabeled but it's 100% in the Protomelas family.