ID please - Stumping MFK since 2008

[phoenixx]

Lethrinops lethrinus. I'm agreeing with this. I took a look over at Malawi Mayhem at the profile pic for Lethrinops sp. Itungi and noticed a similiar facial profile. This leads me to believe that it's in the Lethrinops family, and the pattern on the lethrinus looks spot on. I don't think my fish is deformed or stunted, but perhaps a full grown female.

MalawiTango, that fish you posted pics of is the same exact fish that I posted. Do you feel this is a valid conclusion?

 

[phoenixx]

just saw the profile for Lethrinops sp. "Longipinnis Ntekete" over at cichlid-forum and noticed the same arch under the belly in the first and second pics. My fish also has this arch and it's not because she's underfed.

 

[phoenixx]

here's 2 pics of a Chilotilapia rhoadesii. It too looks really similiar to the fish in question...

 

[MalawiTango]

Pheonixx the head shape is what gets me, it throws everything off. The markings , the red on the fins , im pretty sure its the same fish.

 

[JohnnyRooster]

ya I agree with Tango. Pheonix, I think that if you would fat'in her up a little more you would see a change in her body shape, she looks skinny IMO.

 

[phoenixx]

Let's forget about the head shape for a moment. Based on the markings would we agree this is some kind of Lethrinops?

I'm thinking either Lethrinops furcifer, Lethrinops leptodon, Lethrinops lunaris

I would say it's not Chilotalapia euchilus because according to cichlid-forums profile Chilotalapia have big lips and two horozontal stripes on it's flanks. My fish displays neiter of those characteristics.

 

[phoenixx]

anyone familiar with the Tramitichromis species? It looks like Lethrinops may be a close relative. Of all the fish I've searched this coloring and pattern most resembles mine

I feel like I'm going in circles with this

http://www.onzemalawicichliden.eu/Tramitichromis%20lituris%20dui.html

 

[MalawiTango]

Yeah not an Euchilus thats what it was sold to me as. With females its really hard to narrow down. By looking at it, it would be a safe guess to say its in the Lethrinops family.

 

[phoenixx]

anyone familiar with the Tramitichromis species? It looks like Lethrinops may be a close relative. Of all the fish I've searched this coloring and pattern most resembles mine

I feel like I'm going in circles with this

http://www.onzemalawicichliden.eu/Tramitichromis lituris dui.html

Tango, look how similiar this one looks

 

[JohnnyRooster]

she's definate Lethrinops family I still havent veird from lethrinus. The sunken in belly is not speices specific. Thats what happen when a fish is not eating properly. It could be many reasons like, lack of food, internal parisite, or holding young. I dont strip my females of there young because I have no where to place them and after about 3wks they release them a there bellies always look like that. After a week of feeding they get back to normal. I'm not say that one of those 3 reason is what going on, it could be something that we're not seeing. All I'm saying is, I think the idenity of your female is distorted because of the sunken in belly.