Cichlid ID

[Duncan6618]

This guy was in a mixed tank of CA/SA cichlids at the LFS. I thought he looked interesting so I decided to give him a try. Big mistake, he is not very big but is relentlessly vicious towards my other cichlids. The only thing that has kept him from killing any of them is he made the mistake of nipping at my pikes so now the pikes have it in for him. So when he chases my other fish they swim towards the pikes to get away from him. So I have to get him out of the tank but was wondering if anybody knew what it was.

 

[buck_wildest]

Buffalo Head Cichlid

 

[buck_wildest]

?

 

[Nemesis]

It's a neet(neetroplus nematopus). Very nasty little cichlids.

 

[Duncan6618]

Thanks for the id Nemesis. Looked up some info on him...

Neetroplus nematopus is a monotypic species, first typed by Günther in 1867. Neets are very interesting fish to keep. These fish, are possibly pound for pound one of the meanest cichlids. This small growing cichlid can wreck havoc on a tank if the owner doesn't know much about the fish.

Yep, sounds about right!

 

[AOmonsta]

Definitely a neetroplus. Haven't seen this coloration in the nematopus before but they are known for shifting colors depending on mood.

 

[Duncan6618]

Well the article said they like caves so I put in a piece of 3" pvc capped off on one end. Hopefully he'll set up shop in it and I can get him out without tearing my whole tank apart.

 

[Kaliedoscope]

you have a cichlid tank that doesn't already have caves in it? get more pipe and flowerpots man!

 

[Duncan6618]

The pvc trap worked like a charm

 

[Vapor315]

They are pretty cool guys(also nasty too) my friend had one in his 75 gallon grow out tank. Would always fight with his cuban untill the cuban grew larger and punked him one day.