Blue Dolphin ( Cyrtocara moorii ) Turning red ?

[Deleted User]

Hi

I went to feed the haps & Tangs tonight and get some pics while I was at it.

I took the pics and this is what came out. I always think it is best when asking a question to get as clear a pic as possible.
One of my Blue dolphins has some red colouration on it.
I am not sure if this is right.
It is turning red on it's anal fin.

Here are a couple of pics the red area is circled.

If anyone has any idea as to why I would be greatful. Please click on pics for better veiw.

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[Red]

It looks to me like he has some red coloring, nothing new. Just a little mutation.. And nothing to worry about..

[Deleted User]

It looks to me like he has some red coloring, nothing new. Just a little mutation.. And nothing to worry about..

Thanks Red.

I was a little worried as I watch my fish like a hawk and spot things very quickly. It is only one of the three affected so I just thought something was a miss.:ssmile:

[Red]

No, just some maturing coloration :)

[kaybee]

I'm of the opinion (due to several characteristics of the fish) that the 'blue dolphin' in question is of c. moorii x nimbochromis sp. lineage.

Unless my eyes deceive me, expect more non blue dolphin-like characteristics to manifest as they mature.

[Deleted User]

I'm of the opinion (due to several characteristics of the fish) that the 'blue dolphin' in question is of c. moorii x nimbochromis sp. lineage.

Unless my eyes deceive me, expect more non blue dolphin-like characteristics to manifest as they mature.


So are you saying these guys are mutts Kaybee ?

If that is what your saying there going straight back to the LFS.

[btate617]

I didn't think they should have red either Celtic, but I looked through some pics and found these. These pics appear to have a red tint to them as well.

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Brian

I will keep l;ooking because I didn't think they got any red while maturing but maybe they do??

[Red]

I don't think there blue dolphins, just looking at those pics...

[Deleted User]

A pure blue dolphin looks like this....

This one has no red at all.


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[kaybee]

In my opinion this fish (and its peers in your other thread [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ) seem to have some non c. moorii characteristics while at the same time displaying certain nimbochromis traits:

1. Blue dolphins (c. moorii), even as juveniles, come in shades of blue or shades of blue-gray.

The blue pigmentation of your dolphins seem under-developed. Conversely, the copper-brown hue common in various nimbochromis species seems evident.

2. There are faint yet clearly defined nimbochromis-like blotched patterns on the fish.

While c. moorii, particularly the juvies, can and do display black or dark colored blotches, their markings bear a closer resemblence to ink smears. They are also typically few in number (one to three), randomly shaped and are very temporary (i.e., mood based). Note the 2nd photo in this thread and the 2nd photo in the above hyperlink. Same fish same patterns, (indicating permanent patterns with a very close semblence to the shape of various nimbochromis blotches). Some patterns such as those on the head have become more defined when comparing the 2nd pic in this thread with the 2nd one in the cited link.

3. Could be an affect of the camera (probably is) but in the second pic of this thread the fish seems to be developing a blue head (a n. venustus trait).

I've kept both c. moorii and n. venustus for several years and your blue dolphins appear to be hybrids. If your fish are hybrids this should become even more evident in time.

[Deleted User]

Thanks very much Kaybee.

I will inform the LFS of this and will be taking them back.

I am not paying full price for mutts and I don't want to breed mutts or have tham in my tanks.:spam:

[Brookfish]

I'm of the opinion (due to several characteristics of the fish) that the 'blue dolphin' in question is of c. moorii x nimbochromis sp. lineage.

Unless my eyes deceive me, expect more non blue dolphin-like characteristics to manifest as they mature.

That's an awesome spot Kaybee, kudos to you bud!

[Deleted User]

Just an update.

I phoned LFS today and they will take them back.

They are ordering me in some Blue Dolphins from there supplier and will do a straight swap with me. I pick them up Wednesday:ssmile:

[Crispy]

Definitely mutts. They hardly look like true mooriis. They are very common here and they were one of the first mouthbrooders I ever had. A beginner's cichlid if you ask me.

[Deleted User]

Definitely mutts. They hardly look like true mooriis. They are very common here and they were one of the first mouthbrooders I ever had. A beginner's cichlid if you ask me.

I have never had them before crispy. Beginners or not it doesn't matter to me. I just don't want Mutts.:spam:

[Mith]

I'm far from the local fish expert.....but I believe the second set of fish are the same fish that I have and I've had them since they wee juveniles and they never looked like the first set of "Blue Dolphines". My two cents is that the first set of fish are not blue dolphins.....

[Deleted User]

* UPDATE * I hope you see this post Kaybee.

I swapped the other 3.

I think this fish looks more like a blue dolphin.

I got 3 in a straight swap with the lfs.

They are only 1.5".

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[Crispy]

now those look more like mooriis.

[Deleted User]

now those look more like mooriis.

I think so too Crispy.

The only annoying thing is I got to grow them all on again. :spam: :spam: