5-spot cichlid?

[Jlynnpeter]

I have a 130 gallon tank with 2 oscars, 11 convicts, a flying fox, and an unknown cichlid. The petstore I got him from said he was a 5-spot. I can't find any info on this name.. has anyone heard of this cichlid? He is very aggressive, is mostly a yellowish color, and has 5 large spots in a row horizontally. he also has a black mark over his eye.

Thanks!
Janet in Alaska

 

[DHR]

Any chance of a picture?

 

[peifc]

I think you have 5-star general aka H. elongatus

 

[gonefishin]

i"ve heard of a "5-star general". in fact while i was posting this, some clever little fish came up w/ a picture of one. They are fierce fishies, and usually pricey. What store is this? Its like selling a frontoza as " uh ithink it's called a ferrari?"

 

[Harry Tolen]

Hemichromis elongatus...

...is one of the most aggressive cichlids out there. Admittedly, they only get to be about 6" long, but they are capable of seriously injuring much larger fish. On the plus side, when in breeding colors, they are spectacular to look at. Their dorsal and tail fins have blue and red highlights, the iridescent red spangles on their bodies are bright, and their body color is a brassy gold. Much more attractive than in the photo.

I kept mine in a 125g tank, and they systematically forced me to remove all the other tankmates, until all they were left with for company was an 18" pacu. They raised many broods successfully together, and I flooded the local market with them. To this day I wish that I had not given them away.

 

[Jlynnpeter]

Thank you PEIFC, you just posted a picture of my fish! Mine is exactly like the one shown with the 5 spots, and is very aggressive. The only fish in my tank who stand their ground is my breeding pair of convicts. I will now go read all about the "5 star generals"