ID help

**dpawl31** · 07-08-2010, 04:25 AM

Bought 'assorted african cichlids' all claiming 6" adult length.

The brown one is about 1", the other 2 about 3/4".

Please help ID them, I'd love to know if they are a certain kind or even a hybrid.

I think the brown one might be a largemouth bass haha :D jk!

**dpawl31** · 07-08-2010, 05:54 AM

Thinking the blue one might be this:
http://www.african-cichlid.com/AfraX.htm

**dpawl31** · 07-08-2010, 07:00 AM

Think the brown is a livingstoni cichlid?

**kaybee** · 07-08-2010, 10:58 PM

Vertically striped one: Metriaclima lombardoi ('Kenyi')
Horizontally striped one: Melanochromis auratus
Blotched one: yes you were correct, Nimbochromis livingstonni

The kenyi and auratus are hyper-dominant mbuna species (can be extremely aggressive), they'll max out at about 5" or a little bigger. If they are males they will undergo color transformations (if male the kenyi will become solid yellow-orange possibly with faint barring and the auratus a dark colored fish with a light colored horizontal stripe).

The livingstonni is actually a type of hap (and not a mbuna like the other two), and will max out at about 10"-11".

While haps and mbuna's originate from the same lake (Lake Malawi) they occupy different bio-topes and niches and typically aren't compatible (long-term) in the same tank.

The mbuna's will be much more aggressive and do better in larger groups. I once saw a 5" kenyi completely dominate a 10" nimbochromis.

Additionally the two groups of fish have different dietary requirements, the livingstonni is more of a carnivore and the mbuna's you have are more herbivorous, though quality pellets will satisfy them all.

I wouldn't recommend keeping kenyi's or auratus long term in anything smaller than a 75gal, though you might get by with a 55gal if properly stocked and aquascaped (lots of rocks).

The livingstonii will ultimately require a 6ft long tank (125gal+), they tend to do best with other haps or in a harem-orientated species tank (1 male and a group of females).

**dpawl31** · 07-09-2010, 05:50 AM

Thank you very much for the exact types! Much appreciated.

As for the tank size, agression, etc... we'll see how it goes.
I have no issue setting up my 55 gallon for them when they get bigger. I will have to lose my yellow bellied slider and move the musk turtle to the 20 gallon, but if it is necessary, it is.

As for now, the auratus has the most 'balls' so to speak, as you mentioned he would. Feeding time he is the first on the scene, and quick in and out. He defends his log well - but never nips, bits, or even bumps. Just a quick chase out.

The kenyi seems very skittish, he hides the most and stays out of everyones way. Livingstoni is all over, and never on attack at all. He's very calm.

Also have my GSP, and he is 'respected' well by the malawi's. They stay out of his way, and he goes nowhere near them. Well, he moves into their areas, and they just get out of the way. The ONLY agression I have had so far was in the first 5 minutes of putting all 4 fish in. The puffer was chasing everyone around. He came from a different LFS, so I sort of expected it. He did not hurt anyone, and has not touched anyone since.

I think I am going to have good luck with keeping these 4 together, as well as in the 20 high for quite a while. I have 2 caves, a log, an alligator skull, an archway, and a side-of-tank mounted cave. They have plenty of hiding spots, as well as 5 plants, and 2 powerheads to hide behind.

As stated that malawis like super filtrated water, I have my undergravel w/ two powerheads, and a 330 penguin dual biowheel. Once the tank is FULLY cycled, I will be creating a wet/dry media basket that will have air lines running to them.

I need to pickup a nitrate kit, I have total ammonia and nitrites, but no nitrate. Also have hardness test have yet to do that.

Thanks for all the help!
Don't take me 'unwillingness' to take the bigger tank things to heart. I will do so when necessary, but my hope is for slow growth and them getting along well.

I am hoping in 2 years to be moving into my own house instead of the apartment, in which case we'll be setting up a 200 gallon fresh and a 300 salt setup. All 4 of my current tanks will come with me too :D