ID for honda12

[danepatrick]

yes, sadly, i did get him from petco. he was VERY malnourished when i got him and his fins were nearly gone. i have had him for about 2 weeks now and he's coming around amazingly. he wouldn't eat with the rest of the fish at first, but now he is. i got him mainly because it was only $8.99 AND because i thought it looked cool. i had seen fish like that before - online only - and wanted it. after numorous photos and research of this fish, i do believe that it is indeed the Protomelas spilonotus or at least a BIG part of it's DNA consists of it. IF the fish is indeed a hybrid, then so be it. although, with the pictures included, it does seem to resemble the Protomelas spilonotus more than the Otopharynx lithobates. my reason for believe this is that with my fish, as stated by honda12, has vertical stripes along with some horizontal ones. the Otopharynx lithobates has spots along with no stripes at all. also, the Protomelas has a slight red blended in the scales of the fish.

my fish - you can see the slight vertical bars. along with NO spots.

the Otopharynx - even with the closest looking to mine still has spots and no red hint in scales

again, my fish -

the Protomelas - you can see the hint of red as in my fish. also, the vertical bars.

now again remember, my fish is still very stressed due to being in a new home and he is still young. these are adult photos.

i don't know what else to say.

 

[straitjacketstar]

Petco's and Petsmart's aren't a very trustworthy place to get malawi cichlids cause they sell hybrids a lot.

Either way it is a nice looking fish. Just don't breed it ever.

Any "electric blue hap", "Copadichromis whatever (jacksoni or chrysonotus)" or "Malawi Chrysonotus" is almost guaranteed to be hybrid if purchased from these chain stores.
I've seen fish in these tanks that show characteristics of Copadichromis azuerus, O. lithobates, S. fryeri and/or Aulonocara but I've yet to see a pure specimen of either of those species in any of their tanks. My guess is your fish is one of these hybrids with strong O. lithobates characteristics coming through.

Edit:
O. lithobates may show faint vertical barring.
Your fish is long and slender. P. spilonotus is deeper bodied.
Looks are often decieveing. I've had red top zebra x yellow lab hybrids that could easily pass for P. socolofi. Based on the looks on your fish and where it was purchased I say hybrid. It's a beautiful fish nonetheless.

 

[Scotty]

You should look to boycotting stores that sell these cross bred fish. Tell them why you will not buy the fish they have. It is a great pity that some people will allow this to take place. That is the reason why I buy all my fish from one supplier who is now buying all his new stock fish directly from a guy at the Lake. You want to see what Cop. azureus looks like directly from the lake.WOW! Have yet to see a pic that anywhere nearly resembles these direct imports. The pics I have do not do this fish any justice. The same applies to Cop. borleyi Kandango. WOW!