Is this a Labidochromis caeruleus??

[Liquid_Pyro]

I was told this was a Labidochromis caeruleus, is that right? Exactly 4 inches in length

What makes me think its not is the black mask it has, as well as the faint stripes or bands it has on its sides.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[excuzzzeme]

It is, but of poor coloration quality.

Caeruleus means "blue". The blue should be faint in the white fin markings.

 

[Liquid_Pyro]

Its a poor quality?

Thats funny as I was told that is the offspring of wild caught parents

What exactly makes it poor quality? Its a pretty striking color to me, its even almost more of an orange color compared to my other yellow labs

 

[blue2fyre]

Some male labs have more bearding(black around face) than others. It's a nice male IMO since it has nice black markings on it's fins. The barring is most likely due to stress.

 

[Liquid_Pyro]

If one was to do some selective breeding, what would be the desired traits one should be looking for in the fry to make them of show quality?

 

[Pittbull]

Looks like a nice Yellow lab the black barring is normal its usually a breeding or stress trait, also the black on the face is called bearding some do it but not a lot usually you don't see this because the normal electric yellow labs you see at LFS are of poor quality with fouled genetics from over breeding..

This one is a nice Lab i would try to find an excellent female with nice coloring and body structure and breed them..

 

[excuzzzeme]

I was not suggesting anything is wrong with your lab. Generally, less bearding the better and the more bright yellow is, the more demand there is. A striking bright contrast between the colors is in high demand.

Your fish likely is an FO or very close (in generation) to one. He will also likely grow a bit larger than most offered for reasons already covered. Today, he might not be the color of choice, but being a hobby, who knows what the next desired traits will be?

 

[Liquid_Pyro]

Alright, well I read the bearding and barring may just be from the stress of moving him tanks, so hopefully that will fade over the next few days.

I will get some more pictures up tomorrow, comparing the new labs to my existing ones to show the large difference in yellows.

I would like to set up a good breeding group so maybe everyone can help me pick out the best ones when I get the pics up tomorrow

 

[heislertj]

I have some that look exactly like that.

I was told this was a Labidochromis caeruleus, is that right? Exactly 4 inches in length

What makes me think its not is the black mask it has, as well as the faint stripes or bands it has on its sides.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[kay-bee]

...I read the bearding and barring may just be from the stress of moving him tanks...

Most likely. The bearding and barring should be temporary pigmentation phases related to stress (though in poor quality labs they might be semi-permanent patterns).

I have a male yellow lab that has been 'bearding' up (as he hides) ever since the alpha yellow lab started harassing him recently. First time he's done that in the four years that I've had him.