ID'ing the fishies

[Glenstorm]

So my tank is cycled, my rocks are setup, and I went to the lfs to buy a new bunch of rift lake cichlids. I was giddy. . .

Well my experience came to a grinding halt when I asked if they knew what kind of rift lake cichlids they had. First off I was told that I can't keep these fish together because they are too aggressive. I asked to talk to someone else that might know more about them. The expert came over and I asked if he could help me pick out some trios and match up the proper species. He said he couldn't. So I am lost now. All the LFS's seem to have this same potpurri mixture of rift lake cichlids and none know what each of the species are. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. . . I am trying to avoid hybridization. Is there a taxonomical key available online? Even a species list that you can sort by color, would be a good start.

Dan

[GEV83]

The bad thing with rift valley cichlids and almost all of those small african cichlids is they all look pretty much the same. There are some experts here who should be able to help you with pics and all that good stuff. It's just waiting til they get on. I hope everything works out with you and I am sorry I cant help you much just wanted to let you know that someone will help you out sooner or later.

[Glenstorm]

Thanks Ger

so where have all the experts gone?
di doodoo di doodoo (think, where have all the cowboys gone. . .)

[Verse914]

how big is your tank? Your tank mix will depend on your tank size as some species can get very large. What lake are you interested in keeping(Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika)?

I have a 75gallon peacock and hap tank(lake malawi). You can see pics of my fish here...
http://www.gladiator914.homestead.com/SpeciesProfiles.html

and my tank pics here...
http://www.gladiator914.homestead.com/aquariumdirectory.html

[Glenstorm]

My tank is a 75G and I guess I am leaning towards a Malawi tank, but I could be convinced to go differently. . .



Verse914: Is that name related to the Porsche model?

[Verse914]

No its not related to the Porsche.

Lake Malawi is great choice as there is a wide variety. There is mbuna(which is very aggressive), and then you have peacocks and haps(which arent too aggressive at all). Its better that they arent mixed, but there are exceptions.

[Reiner]

you can also try www.cichlidrecipe.com it will at least give you some idea of what species go together and which ones don't.

[VoodooChild]

I understand your frustration but once you get a few Malawians under your belt species start to clear up pretty quickly. It makes it more frustrating when stores list their Africans under "Asstorted African (Lg.)" and so on. I don't know of any taxa key out there, but there are several good books that, though spendy, should set you up for your future fish keeping career. If you move to Tangs then the distinctions are MUCH easier to see and you shouldn't have any problems identifying these guys. Victorians are pretty hard to come by, at least here, so that shouldn't be an issue. If a the resident expert at an LFS can't tell you what to put with what he is by no means an expert. Try going to a different LFS and seeing what they have.

[Glenstorm]

Originally posted by Reiner
you can also try www.cichlidrecipe.com it will at least give you some idea of what species go together and which ones don't.

The thing is, that is exactly what I did. I printed out his suggested combinations for a 75G and went to the fish store hoping someone would be able to tell me which are which. Unfortunately his pictures only got me so far. . .

I imagine I'll eventually get a book from Borders. But feel free to keep responding with suggestions!!

[ChilDawg]

If you do Malawis, buy the Barron's Press book "Lake Malawi Cichlids" by Mark Phillip Smith. This has great pictures, and, though some of the scientific names are outdated, it will tell you what you have as long as its been kept in the hobby for a couple years or so. It's only $8, so it's worth it, IMHO and IME.

[Verse914]

Glen
check out this website. They have a bunch of Africans here. Its a online web store...
http://www.ohiexchange.com/armke/list.htm

[Glenstorm]

Thanks for that link Verse. . .

That was going to be my next question, you are prophetic!! What the other online sites that people buy from. I figure they may have some pictures that could help me.

In particualar what is that site called that is run by a guy named Jeff?

[ChilDawg]

Ah, "Jeff Rapps is 'Tangled Up in Cichlids'". It is www.tangledupincichlids.com

[ChilDawg]

He doesn't do Rift Lake cichlids all that often, so I would suggest somewhere else, like www.cichlidexchange.com, www.armkes.com, or www.aquariumstuffers.com

Also, look in the back of an AFM or TFH mag--they have a lot of ads and might lead you to other sites as well.

[Verse914]

Ive ordered from Armkes(the link i posted above) and www.cichlidlovers.com . Ive gotten great looking fish from both of them.

[Glenstorm]

For instance. . .

I found this picture (http://www.cichlidpress.com/referenceservice/photos/malawicichlids/pssocoloficp.jpg)

AND

this picture (http://www.cichlidpress.com/referenceservice/photos/malawicichlids/pestheraeminosmcp.jpg)

The thing that jumps out at me is the color, but that seems to be a big variable for individuals, anyway. (meaning an individual can change color) What are the differences that I don't see.

Also, is the number of dots on the anal fin significant in any way?

[GEV83]

I dont believe there is any significance with the egg spot on there anal fins as far as sexing or species goes. It may have something to help them out in the wild but I dont think it does in the home aquaria but then I could be wrong.

[ChilDawg]

I don't know if females have egg spots...I'd have to read, but I do know that they induce females to mouth the male's vent (because they look like lain eggs which have not yet been picked up) and cause sperm to enter their mouth along with their eggs.

[VoodooChild]

Ger's right. Generally the males have them but it still isn't for sure by far, so I wouldn't trust it. It seems that they've become more common on females the further down the captive bred line they are.

[Glenstorm]

How 'bout this part of question guys?


Originally posted by Glenstorm What are the subtle differences between species, for instance. . .

I found this picture (http://www.cichlidpress.com/referenceservice/photos/malawicichlids/pssocoloficp.jpg)

AND

this picture (http://www.cichlidpress.com/referenceservice/photos/malawicichlids/pestheraeminosmcp.jpg)

The thing that jumps out at me is the color, but that seems to be a big variable for individuals, anyway. (meaning an individual can change color) What are the differences that I don't see.