Cichlid ID?

[straitjacketstar]

I think he's just adding that. The fish in the video is obviously the same one as in the pix but he does like to throw in those useless extra couple cents.
He's gone off on an "auratus elongatus" shpiel before. As if that extra ID stretch means anything since most tankbred Malawi's are of questionable purity anyway.

 

[WyldFya]

Keep childish bickering off the forum. Any more bickering will result in closure of the thread. Any more personal attacks will result in infractions or even suspension.

 

[amctaxidermy]

Thanks for all the responses guys! After doing some research from your thoughts I am also pretty certain this is a male chipokae as well. I just picked up another mystery cichlid at Petco the other day, I will try to get up some pics of it later today and see what you all think.

 

[amctaxidermy]

Here is the other mystery cichlid I picked up at Petco. I'm guessing its some sort of a peacock? It struck me as being unusual, which is why I bought it. Usually I don't buy fish there. The colors are just amazing! While the photos below don't show it well, he has a beautiful blue iridescence in between his red orange spots. Any ideas on this one?

 

[Scotty]

Your fish in the pic is a Melanochromis joanjohnsonae. Depending on its size will determine whether or not male or female. The females stay this colour with the males turning blue. Seeing that you mention the blue irredescence colouring it could be a juvinile male starting to change colour.
Great fish to have when they get a little bigger. Looks to be a really nice specimen.

 

[amctaxidermy]

Scotty, the fish is about 2" or so long right now. When I first got him/her its belly was sunken in and it looked pretty bad, but its been eating well and gained a little more color. Can they crossbreed with the other melanochroms like Johanni and Auratus?

 

[Scotty]

The size at which it will start to change colour if a male. Might take a bit longer seeing there are no other males or females present.
Yes, cross breeding could easily take place especially if the Auratus and johanni males don't have females.
I have 8 different Melanochromis species and have at least 2 species together in some of my tanks. Never seen them chase the other females as I have 1/2 males with 6/8 females of each species.
I do keep the Mel interuptus away from the Johanni or cyaneorhabdos "maingano" as they are pretty similar. I also don't mix the two auratus species, namely Mel auartus "chindunga" and auratus elongate.
Be on the dafe side and place into a different tank till such times you get a couple more.

 

[mike dunagan]

yes they can breed if they are indeed male and female. Also females of Melanochromis joanjohnsonae do have some bluish tent in between the reds when hit by light right...

 

[etcbrown]

Never heard of a joanjohnsonae mixing with another melanochromis, but I have soon them cross with a male socolofi. Nice looking crossbreed for what its worth.