What kind of cichlid is this?

[PSA]

Just adopted this little fishy he is about 2.5 inches, the woman who gave him to me said he was an african cichlid... I don't know anything about cichlids and was wondering is someone could tell me what this is and it's sex. Also, what's with those three gold spots on his anal fin - is that normal?

Thanks!

 

[Zagz]

He looks like a Victorian cichlid. Looks like a female Xystichromis phytophagus perhaps. The males get quite colorful but the females remain yellow/gold. Xystichromis phytophagus

The gold spots are eggs spots. Most cichlids have some of them. Some more than others.

 

[PSA]

Thanks! One thing that doesn't really show up in this photo is the darker vertical banding on the sides - convict style. They're not terribly dark, but they're definitely there and very straight. Is that still within the realms of normal expression for xmas fulus?

 

[PSA]

I've been digging around and my best guess is Pundamilia nyererei... Python or perhaps Ruti island?

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

I have a fish like this, it's a Male SP44 Hap. "Red Tail". Look that up on google, you'll find a picture that kind of looks like yours.

They are very interesting cichlids with GREAT color, and like you said about the bars convict style, mine makes them come out when he is chasing other cichlids, showing off his color. It's amazing really.

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

It's also known as Male SP44 Hap. "Thick Skin" Zagz was right though about it being a Vic. Lake cichlid.

 

[PSA]

Hmmm thanks... these can be pretty hard to tell apart when it comes to individual variations, huh?

 

[Zagz]

They can be heavily crossbred so hard to identify 100% accurately.

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

Yeah they can, took me FOREVER to find out the right speicies of this Hap sp.44 we have here.

 

[kribensis12]

Whatever he/she is, that is one BEAUTIFUL fish.

 

[PSA]

thank you! I try not to let on in his presence lest his attitude get any bigger.