Help!! New to the game.

[METALHEAD]

Hey all...I'm new to the cichlid game, but I've kept fish for about 8 years. Mostly sharks and guarami's and such. Anyway, I'm trying to identify these new additions, as I've started over with a cichlid tank. Here's some pics, and ANY help at all would be appreciated.

I think I have the last three figured out. I'm thinking Melanochromis johannii, Metriaclima lombardoi (Kenyi), and Melanochromis auratus. I've been told the first one is a Melanochromis chipokae, but I'm not sure. All the pics I've found don't seem to look like mine very much at all.

 

[ratava]

Hey all...I'm new to the cichlid game, but I've kept fish for about 8 years. Mostly sharks and guarami's and such. Anyway, I'm trying to identify these new additions, as I've started over with a cichlid tank. Here's some pics, and ANY help at all would be appreciated.


I think I have the last three figured out. I'm thinking Melanochromis johannii, Metriaclima lombardoi (Kenyi), and Melanochromis auratus. I've been told the first one is a Melanochromis chipokae, but I'm not sure. All the pics I've found don't seem to look like mine very much at all.

Welcome to the Fold. African's Rock

You definatly have Melanochromis johannii and Melanochromis auratus correct.
As for the Metriaclima lombardoi, I would say almost definate. It is s a bit hard to tell with the photo you have. If it is a Kenyi then I hope it is a female and not a male. Males start out looking like what you have. They turn a bright orange and are very agressive. Not the sort of fish you would want if you are just starting out with mbuna. Females stay the same but usually the stripes go a dark blue.

 

[fish head )'>]

nice fish.
good luck and one piece of advice: know something about the fish before you add it to your tank. Many heartache stories could be told by many people from this web site alone.

 

[Scotty]

WELCOME METALHEAD.
First pic is not at all clear. Try and get a better shot to post. Looks to be some sort on Pseudtropheus species but hard to tell off the photo.
Pic 2 I would say could be a Metriaclima estherae. How big is the fish? Why I ask is the males will turn blue when they mature at around 2-3inches. Pic 3 is definitely a Metriaclima lombardoi and pic 4 is Melanochromis auratus.
M lombardoi's are not that bad a fish as everyone seems to make out. Make sure you have at least 2 females for him and have enough rocks in your tank.
If you would like to you can make contact directly with me if you have any problems. I am always willing to try and help[ out based on my experience I have gained over the past 2-3 years of keeping Malawi's. I have around 50 species, total of 130 fish, and breed with my fish. Have about 300 fry that I am busy growing out for selling.
If you want to add fish be sure to add no fewer than 4-5 fish at a time. Also re-do your rocks just before adding as this then creates a diversion for those who have exteablished territory's in the tank.

 

[ewurm]

Welcome to MFK! Nice fish you have there!

 

[Vargur]

1. Melanochromis chipokae I think, the head looks like chipokae to me.
2. Melanochromis johannii female
3. Metriaclima lombardoi female or young male
4. Melanochromis auratus female or young male

How big is your tank and what other fish do you have in it ?
Those species can be terrible tankmates and also will probably produce hybrids.

 

[straitjacketstar]

1. Melanochromis chipokae I think, the head looks like chipokae to me.
2. Melanochromis johannii female
3. Metriaclima lombardoi female or young male
4. Melanochromis auratus female or young male

How big is your tank and what other fish do you have in it ?
Those species can be terrible tankmates and also will probably produce hybrids.

Good eye on the chipokae Vargur.

#2 might be M. estherae but we'd need a better picture to be sure. The rest Vargur got right on.