Id Please?

[Dekah.]

So, I was at work the other day and this guy who was a complete and utter jerk brought this gorgeous nearly 5 inch fish in and said to me: 'You guys need to take this off my hands or I'm going to go home and flush it.' He went on to say that it was terrorizing his 10inch Oscar and left it tattered the other day. Since this guy wouldnt eat feeders and his Oscar would, he would rather have the oscar, than this guy. *Cough* Moron *Cough* So after calling my girlfriend and asking permission to purchase yet another tank for him, I took him home and let him settle in, all by himself.

My question to you guys is, what is he? I am assuming he is (Petsmart's common name) a Bumblebee, but I was hoping I could get a confirmation of that, or ideas on anything else he may be. He definately changes colors, nearly to all black when his mood changes which lines up with everything I've been reading about the Bumblebees, but I'm still curious. If you could please include a scientific name for me I'd be very happy =)

Also, if anyone has had much experience with these, can you relay some of your luck/failure with them as far as feeding, breeding and successful tankmates.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Honda12]

Yes it is a bumblebee, looks to be a male. Pseudotropheus crabro.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=845
http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/other/pseudotropheus_crabro.html

They average around 8in but I have seen them as big as 12 in a good size tank. The can be agressive towards other fish but do good with other malawi mbuna. The will eat most pellets and flakes.

I have had them before, they can be nasty sometimes and it is not a suprise it beat up on the oscar do to the oscar being slow and the crabro fast. They can change color at will to the stripes to a jet black. If a female is in the tank with the male or other males the dominent one will stay the jet black color.

 

[Tongue33]

My friend breeds these He is on here maybe he can answer some questions as well>>> I'll pm him

 

[straitjacketstar]

P. crabro is quite the misunderstood creature.
In most accounts you will hear or read about how incredibly nasty they are. This hyperaggression can be greatly reduced...simply by giving the fish the space it needs. In large tanks (6', 100gal or bigger) I have experienced them to be downright puppydogs. In smaller tanks they can indeed be quite nasty. They are large and active mbuna and need a little more space than the average 55-75 gallon tank. They make wonderful and impressive aquarium subjects when set up properly and content.

 

[Dekah.]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I love him, hes been a great addition to my growing fish family...his last owner didnt deserve him. It was payday today so naturally I took the oppurtunity to get him some new stuff for his tank. He seems to really enjoy the addition of the powerhead to the tank.