ID this cichlid.

[zachjohnson65]

1. I saw this cool fish at a local Petsmart. He was in a mixed african tank. He is about 5". Could he be stocked with a Full grown Yellow Lab?

2.Also has anyone heard of a white tailed african cichlid. He is all black with a white tipped tail and dorsal fin?

 

[Coler]

the black guy is likely pseudotropheus acei 'ngara' or 'tanzania' variant - look closely and he may in fact be very very dark purple/navy with white trim. A great little fish and not so aggressive compared to most mbuna.

The guy your picture of is annoying me because I know what he is but can't quite remember the name - give me a few moments on that (btw in a mixed african tank he is likely not pure-strain)

What size tank are you asking about (in relation to stocking with the lab?)

 

[zachjohnson65]

I have brand new 35g hex.

 

[Coler]

brand new = cycled yet or not ?

35 hex is not good for mixing mbuna (which is what that guy is darnit it will come to me in a minute). Maybe consider a group of labs (1 male 3 females) with a group of the black purple ones (1 male 3 females). This is doable with diligent water changes (30 - 40% weekly) and good filtration (what are you currently using).

The problem with the 35 hex is lack of length and surface area - with mbuna its all about the length (territory). With stocking generally its all about surface area (greater surface area allows more oxygenation).

Again, the main question is, if its brand new, is it cycled/how did you 'cycle' ?

 

[Ruben Tolon]

Coler, since this is about ID-ing fish, do you know what the cichlid on the bottom left of the last picture is? a hap?

 

[Coler]

Yeah, haplochromide, malawi. pretty sure about that. It's not any of the mbuna genus and not an aulonocara.

I've seen similar in mixed african tanks (I think this is a pic of LFS tank) - hybrid of some kind, not particularly attractive in this instance.

 

[zachjohnson65]

well since it is a hap. i will not consider it for the tank. I know that the hex tank is not ideal, but it is what i have. I'm just trying to get info. to make good stocking decsions. the tank is just being set up. The lab is in seperate tank waiting to move into 35 hex.

 

[Coler]

nope hang on the one ruben asked about is a hap, the other is not.

in the 35 hex though, consider having 4 labs (1 male and 3 female) with some of the acei you/I mentioned. Would look nice and I think is doable, with diligent tank maintenance, good filtration etc.

Other option, 6 or 7 mbuna, all males. This would be risky and you would have to be prepared to bring some back to the shop (check that they will take 'em back) as personality issues arise, until you get the right mix.

 

[zachjohnson65]

I have thought out the lab colony but i do not want to have a million fry. My LFS do not a female labs. The other problem is that this lab is a full grown adult that was given to my because he was too aggressive toward others. but the past owners kept him in a 10g with non cichlids. I'm new to cichlids. I have been advised to start a new tank with just adult fish. i'm just going over my options.

 

[Coler]

ok well you will need to try and have similarly sized fish. at least 3 inches anyway. the one you have a pic of (by god I will have name for you shortly lol) will go fine with the lab.

think of maybe another 3 or 4 mbuna for that tank, all male, and avoid similarly coloured fish, making 5 or 6 in total (the acei would be another nice addition - relatively peaceful mbuna). Check with the shop that they will let you bring a fish back if it is not working out.

the fact that the lab was with non cichlids probably increased his aggression - they're peaceful as far as mbuna go but way too much for 'standard' non cichclid community fish.