http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/551337/884827/20726211.jpg
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/551337/884827/20726184.jpg
What is the proper name for this fish?
Where is it from?
What does it eat? How big does it get?
Sex difference (eggspots on male and not female)?
Does it keep the color?
Any info is appretiated.
Thanks
morleyz
02-25-2003, 10:30 PM
What is the proper name for this fish?
I believe it's Maylandia Estherae...although there is still debate as to that or Metraclima Estherae. Was previous Pseudotropheus Estherae.
Where is it from?
Lake Malawi
What does it eat? How big does it get?
A low protein high plant diet, as with most Mbuna species. They are algae grazers in the wild. Spirulina flakes, spinach, cucumber, zuchini...maybe some occasional pellets when they're bigger. I believe full grown is 4-6".
Sex difference (eggspots on male and not female)?
Both my Males and females have eggspots, but the males seem to have more...see below for other ways to tell.
Does it keep the color?
The females will remain orange. The males will develop a blue "sheen" to their bodies and their fins will turn light blue. The dominant male will be very blue. I've noticed my subdominant male is a lot closer to the female orange color.
HTH
thanks Morleyz - I was hoping they would remain vibrant red:mad: