They are probably my favorite mbuna.. I have kept just about every color morph of them.
The male adults look fantastic. They are generally good citizens in a Malawi community too. They stay smaller than some mbuna, but aren't very aggressive.
I mean, they are mbuna, some male-male chasing of the same species, but I've never had one become a problem with injuring other fish. Some of the smaller mbuna are extremely aggressive.
I think the pet stores don't sell them very often, because as you noted, they are kind of drab when young. Also, it's hard for me to determine what the color pattern is, as the tank will be just labeled "C afra".. They are all pretty.. Maybe the store manager knows more specifics if he ordered them or maybe not?
In any event, get them, nice fish.
