Cichlid Identification - please help!

**m.kyleen** · 08-31-2012, 06:37 PM

Hi,
I'm trying to identify a couple different cichlids that were recently ordered in at the pet store I work in. I'm fairly certain at least one of them was labelled incorrectly. The distributor I purchased them from is no help at all!
Any help identifying these fish would be greatly appreciated!

This fish was labelled at Pseudotropheus Socolofi. He's darker than usual in this photo. He's normally light to medium blue with darker blue 'splotches' all over his body in no distinctive pattern.

These fish were both labelled Albino Pseudo. Socolofi. I'm thinking the top photo is a male, and the second is a female. They both chase and dance with each other constantly.

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/.../WP_001620.jpg

**m.kyleen** · 08-31-2012, 06:38 PM

I know these photo's are pretty bad, but these guys were labelled Sunshine Peacock. You can't really tell from these photos but both have muted twinges of yellow and orange in between their stipes. Their dorsal fin has a bit of red along it's base and top, but the fin itself is mostly grey looking. These guys are chums, too.

Like I said, any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

**escamosa** · 08-31-2012, 11:02 PM

The first one, I'm not really sure of, but it's not a Socolify. It looks more like some kind of Peacock. The Head shape, mouth shape and colour just doesn't point to it being a Socolify.

The second one, I woulds say is a Socolify, but it's not an Albino. Albinos are white, with pink eyes.

The Peacocks appear to be Sunshines - probably females because of their drab colours. Or they're still really young. You'll know if you have males because they will turn a pretty yellow and their cheeks and bottom jaw will sometimes turn bright blue.

Albino Socolify.

Female Sunshine Peacock.

**Northerly** · 09-01-2012, 12:52 AM

The top one is definitely a female peacock. Looks like possibly a red shoulder but its hard to ID females.

**pjaldave** · 09-01-2012, 06:51 AM

First one i'm pretty sure is a peacock, not sure what kind. The second one though, it kinda looks like a juvenile kenyi to me.

**Northerly** · 09-02-2012, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Northerly

The top one is definitely a female peacock. Looks like possibly a red shoulder but its hard to ID females.

at second glance, this female has blue blotches. NOT red shoulder.

**m.kyleen** · 09-05-2012, 05:33 PM

Thanks for all of your suggestions!
I looked up "Blue Dolphin's" and I'm 95% sure that's what that first photo is.
The other batch of photos (the supposed Sunshines) were the ones I was most curious about. I'm leaning towards Sunshines for them too, so thank you for your suggestions! As for the mystery socolofi I will just keep looking around for what he might be.

Thanks all!

**kaybee** · 09-01-2012, 05:51 PM

Regarding the first fish

Originally Posted by m.kyleen

He's darker than usual in this photo. He's normally light to medium blue with darker blue 'splotches' all over his body in no distinctive pattern.

I'm kind of leaning towards a very juvenile cyrocarta moorii (malawi 'blue dolphin'), something about the eye, mouth shape and head shape is leading me to this conclusion. Juvie c. moorii typically display temporary blotches which disappear as the fish matures (they become more pronounced when the juvie is intimidated or insecure).

The second one is a pseudotropheus socolofi displaying 'stress' barring. These patterns will eventually disappear once the fish becomes established and matures and aren't permanent markings in any way.

**Indian Woods Angels** · 09-01-2012, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by kaybee

Regarding the first fish

I'm kind of leaning towards a very juvenile cyrocarta moorii (malawi 'blue dolphin'), something about the eye, mouth shape and head shape is leading me to this conclusion. Juvie c. moorii typically display temporary blotches which disappear as the fish matures (they become more pronounced when the juvie is intimidated or insecure).

The second one is a pseudotropheus socolofi displaying 'stress' barring. These patterns will eventually disappear once the fish becomes established and matures and aren't permanent markings in any way.

Yes Bingo on these two. The moori looks very stressed though.

The third picture looks like some sort of a Lab. cross or sub adults. Is there a Lab. Crabroe or something that looks like this?